HC Deb 16 April 1930 vol 237 cc2902-4
Commander BELLAIRS

I desire to ask you, Mr. Speaker, a question affecting the Privileges of Members of Parliament who desire to ask questions on any subject, and I apologise for the short notice which I have given. I handed to the Clerk at the Table yesterday a question as a test question, as we have repeatedly had questions refused on compulsory labour in Russia. The products of that compulsory labour reach this country, and therefore it intimately concerns this country. I desire to ask you whether we may put these questions which so intimately concern this country?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Member asks me a question which has often been asked before in regard to what I may term the censorship of ques- tions. The duty cast upon the Clerks in this respect is very difficult and onerous, and I think is generally fulfilled to the general satisfaction of the House. There may be some questions which Members think should be passed which are not passed, but I do not think that I should be serving any useful purpose if I entered into the merits, or otherwise, of any particular question, or set of questions. Very often questions are put in which only a day or two before had been answered, and it appears to me, as I think it will to the House, to be a thorough waste of time to keep on asking the same question over and over again. That very much applies to the case which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has brought to my notice.

Commander BELLAIRS

I think that there is some mistake on that point. Repeated questions have been asked about prison labour in Russia, but we have not had questions on compulsory labour in Russia. It is reaching large dimensions in regard to farm labour, timber labour, and factory labour, because the people on the farms labour in the factories, and their products are reaching this country. [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"] May we not put questions on these subjects?

Mr. SPEAKER

It would obviously be a very improper thing for me to enter into an argument on the question which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has raised, but I think that he will find it best, and the House will find it more convenient, if it is left to me to decide whether a question should be put on the Order Paper or not.

Commander BELLAIRS

I know that I am not allowed to repeat the question, but may I say this. My test question simply asks that the subject should be raised at the League of Nations.

Mr. CHURCHILL

Are we to understand that you propose to give this specific matter your consideration? If so, that would be perfectly satisfactory.

Mr. SPEAKER

The right hon. Gentleman is aware that I am always giving these matters consideration, and, I will certainly give this particular question further consideration.

Mr. THURTLE

May I ask you, when you take this matter into consideration, to bear in mind that there are many Members who feel that in recent times questions have appeared on the Order Paper dealing with the internal affairs of Russia which they thought ought not to have appeared on the Paper?

Mr. SPEAKER

I have been getting criticism because I have not allowed questions, and now I am getting criticism because I have allowed them. so that I am getting it on both sides.

Mr. SANDERS

When you are considering the question of compulsory labour in Russia, will you take into account the likeness between that and the transfer of labour in this country?

Mr. HAYCOCK

Will the same latitude be extended to questions in regard to internal affairs in Italy, yugoslavia, and Hungary, as to questions about internal affairs in Russia?

Mr. SPEAKER

I have not yet said that I am going to give any latitude.