HC Deb 17 September 1931 vol 256 cc1021-3

The following Questions stood upon the Order Paper:

26. Mr. ALBERY

to ask the Minister of Health how many areas have now been cleared under the Housing Act, 1936; and how many houses have been constructed up to date under this Act?

27. Commander BELLAIRS to ask the Minister of Health the proportion of preservatives in the Soviet Russian fruit pulp sent to this country; and whether the Ministry is considering the prohibition of all imports of a deleterious character?

Mr. ALBERY

On a point of Order. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, if you called Question 26?

Mr. SPEAKER

I called upon the hon. Member to ask Question 26 and also upon the hon. and gallant Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs) to ask Question 27, and, as there was no response, I was bound to call the next question on the Paper.

Commander BELLAIRS

May I point out, Sir, that it was quite impossible to hear, owing to the amount of noise in the House?

Mr. ALBERY

On a point of Order. May I submit that if I missed the calling of my question it was due to the remarks of hon. Members opposite?

Mr. SPEAKER

Hon. Members must remember that the noise is not confined to one side of the House.

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

37. Mr. BATEY to ask the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take any steps to alleviate the distress among the mining community of the county of Durham during the coming winter?

Mr. BATEY

On a point of Order. This question was addressed to the Prime Minister, and it appeared yesterday on the Order Paper as being put to the Prime Minister. Last night, I learned that the Prime Minister had given orders that the question was to be transferred to the Minister of Health. I wish to ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether the Prime Minister can do that; and whether it is in order for a question, which has appeared on the Order Paper to be changed in that way?

Mr. SPEAKER

This is a very old story. Questions are always put down to the Minister, or at any rate are answered by the Minister to whose Department they relate.

Mr. BATEY

May I draw your attention, Sir, to the fact that this is not a Departmental question. It is one which I want the Prime Minister to answer. If I withdraw this question now, am I entitled to put it down again, addressed to the Prime Minister?

Mr. SPEAKER

It may not be answered by the Prime Minister. The hon. Member will get an answer from the Minister particularly responsible.

Mr. BATEY

I understand that the Minister responsible is the Prime Minister. He has still an interest in Durham.

Mr. SPEAKER

Is the hon. Member going to ask the question now?

Mr. BATEY

If you insist upon it, I will, but with all due respect to the Minister of Health, I desire an answer from the Prime Minister. I withdraw the question.