HERR VON RIBBENTROP. (Hansard, 17 June 1936)

§ Mr. E. SMITH
rose in his place, and asked leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of calling attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, The visit of Herr Von Ribbentrop to London and Northern Ireland, and his association with Lord Londonderry and the Chief Air Marshal of the Royal Air Force. I want to say a few words—

§ Mr. SPEAKER
The hon. Member wishes to move the Adjournment of the House upon a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the visit of Herr Von Ribbentrop to London and Northern Ireland, and his association with Lord Londonderry and the Chief Air Marshal of the Royal Air Force. Standing Order No. 8, under which the hon. Member moved his Motion, is the one under the conditions of which I have to give my consent. I do not think that this particular Motion fulfils any of the conditions of that Standing Order, and, therefore, I could not give him consent.

§ Mr. SMITH
With all due respect, may I offer a few remarks which may assist you in altering your Ruling? This country is now the greatest democratic country in the world—

§ Mr. SPEAKER
That would not alter the conditions under Standing Order No. 8.

§ Mr. SMITH
When I raised this matter earlier, hon. and right hon. Gentlemen on the other side laughed and ridiculed, but that is only history repeating itself.

§ Mr. HARDIE
I would like to ask the Prime Minister a question in relation to the business of the House.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
Sir Robert Gower.

§ Mr. A. BEVAN
On a point of Order. Is it not competent for any Member of the House to raise a question of the Business of the House after Questions.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
Yes, it is, by putting the point of Order before the Motion for the Adjournment was moved.

§ Mr. HARDIE
I was on my feet.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
So was I.

§ Mr. HARDIE
On a point of Order.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
There is no point of Order arising.

§ Mr. BEVAN
On a point of Order. It is, in my submission very desirable that the right of private Members, independently from Members of the Front Benches, to be able to raise matters of procedure, should be preserved. The hon. Member who was trying to ask such a question was ruled out of order. I submit to you that any Member of the House has a right, before you put the Motion for the Adjournment or for the suspension of the 11 o'clock Rule, to put questions arising out of the business of the House.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
The hon. Member did not raise the question until after the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith) raised the question of the Adjournment. Questions upon the business of the House come before that.

§ Mr. HARDIE
May I point out, with all due deference, that I was on my feet when you called upon my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke, before I got the attention of the House? I am not pressing the matter, but I feel that I have not had my opportunity. As I was on my feet, may I not claim the right to put a question to the Government with regard to business?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
It is too late.