HC Deb 09 April 1925 vol 182 c2428
Major HORE-BELISHA The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of

(who was not present) 15. To ask the Home Secretary how many police pensioners there are on the post-April, 1919, scale, and how many there are on the pre-April, 1919, scale, respectively?

Captain GARRO-JONES

I have been requested by my hon. Friend to ask Question No. 15.

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

Mr. Speaker informs me that it is not the custom to have a second round when Questions are asked at a morning sitting.

Captain BENN

What is the duration for Questions on a day when we meet at 11 o'clock? Is it an hour, or is there any definition of the time? May I respectfully submit that the right of asking questions is a very important part, and the only vested part, of the rights left to private Members?

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

If there be sufficient Questions on the Paper, we go on until 12 o'clock with the first round, and then pass from Questions. But Mr. Speaker informs me that it is not the practice of the House to have a second round when Questions are asked at a morning sitting.

Mr. BARKER

Is it not the fact that yesterday we passed a Resolution that questions should be asked from Eleven o'clock until Twelve?

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

I have consulted Mr. Speaker on the matter, and his interpretation of the Resolution is that, while questions could not be asked after Twelve o'clock, it does not say that there shall be a second round up to Twelve o'clock.