§ 24. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Prime Minister what steps are contemplated to further co-operation for production, intelligence, and operational plans with the air administration of the Soviet Union?
§ 45. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister what staff military conversations have taken place or are contemplated, with either Poland, Rumania, Greece, Turkey or Russia?
§ The Prime MinisterThe normal method of maintaining staff contacts with foreign countries through the channel of Service attaches has been supplemented in certain instances in recent months. It is contemplated that this procedure will be followed in other cases, but it would not be in the public interest to give any detailed particulars.
§ Mr. Garro JonesMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he thinks that the method of co-operation by means of Service attaches with their limited ability to co-operate with these foreign consuls is likely to prove as effective as the German and Italian method of reciprocal co-operation by hundreds of officers of all arms of the Forces? Would it not at least be common prudence to begin to initiate measures for co-operation for production with the Soviet Union?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that I can add anything to the answer that I have already given.
§ Mr. BennDoes the answer mean that what we understand to be the demand of Russia for combined staff talks has been rejected by the Government?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, the right hon. Gentleman has no right to make any such suggestion.
Mr. Deputy-SpeakerWe had better get on with the other questions. There are other hon. Members who have questions on the Paper.
§ Mr. Garro JonesOn a point of Order. With very great respect to you, Sir, I wish to submit that it has been the invariable practice for Members who have put a question on the Paper to be allowed to put two supplementary questions?
Mr. Deputy-SpeakerNo. These matters are entirely in the discretion of the Chair and the hon. Member is scarcely behaving in a way to get extra indulgence from the Chair.
§ Mr. Garro JonesI am not asking for it, and I never expect it.
Mr. Deputy-SpeakerIf the hon. Member does not accept my instruction and direction, I shall have to ask him to leave the Chamber.
§ Mr. Garro JonesOn a point of Order. While I have no intention of claiming any indulgence from the Chair, I certainly have every intention of insisting upon such rights as I do possess, and one of those rights is to put and to complete a point of Order to the Chair. And I now desire to put a point of Order. I desire to ask you, Sir, whether you rule that Members who have questions upon the Paper are not entitled to put supplementary questions not by way of any indulgence from the Chair, but as a right established by long practice?
§ Mr. Garro Jones rose—
Mr. Deputy-SpeakerI rule that that matter is in the discretion of the Chair. In this case, owing to the importance of some of the earlier questions, the later questions on the Order Paper have been very much delayed. It is my intention to try my best to give opportunities for other hon. Members to put their questions. I consider that I have done all that is necessary.
§ Mr. Garro JonesI beg to give notice that I shall put upon the Order Paper a Motion drawing attention to the Ruling that you have just given as to the right of Members to put supplementary questions.
Mr. Deputy-SpeakersThe hon. Member need not give notice of that; he is entitled to put such a motion on the Order Paper at any time.