§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREI beg to ask you, Mr. Speaker, the question of which I have given you Private Notice: 979 Whether in the Debate this afternoon you will consider disregarding the privilege normally extended to ex-Cabinet Ministers, Privy Councillors and leaders of so-called parties and treating the House as a House of back benchers only, or, alternatively, whether you will consider suggesting to speakers other than those from the Front Benches, the propriety of limiting their speeches to a maximum of 15 minutes?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI shall answer the last part of the question first. The point which the hon. and gallant Member raises is one upon which hon. Members have expressed a grievance upon many occasions, namely, that in what, for want of a better term, is termed a full dress Debate so few back benchers have an opportunity of joining in the discussion. I can only repeat what I think the House knows to be my view on this subject. If hon. Members would compress their speeches into the shortest possible limits, not only would the speeches themselves be much better, but more Members could take part in the discussions. With regard to the first part of the question, I hope the House will leave it to me to decide which Members shall catch my eye.
§ Sir A. KNOXWould it be possible to extend this advice to both Front Benches and all ex-Ministers?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI did not make any exceptions in my remarks.