HC Deb 11 February 1941 vol 368 cc1227-8

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. GALLACHER:

36. To ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present system whereby candidates for this House are too often chosen because they possess money, or such qualifications as a union ticket, in both cases without regard to personal qualification, he is prepared to set up a committee to inquire into the composition of the personnel of Members of this House?

Mr. Gallacher

This Question as it appears on the Order Paper is not as I drafted it. I asked whether, in view of the statement made by the Under-Secretary of State for Air that there are too many Members in this House, etc.

The Prime Minister

I see no need to set up such a committee. If it were set up, it would certainly have to inquire, among other things, into the evils of the selection of candidates who might be mere pawns and utensils in the hands of foreign organisations.

Mr. Gallacher

I want to ask the Prime Minister whether he is not aware that the speech made by the Under-Secretary of State for Air, coupled with the statement of the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) that "we all know what is going on in this House," and the fact that the Prime Minister's own immediate colleagues have continually referred to Members on the other side as "Yes men—

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member cannot make a speech at Question Time.

Mr. Gallacher

On a point of Order. I want to ask a Question.

Mr. Speaker

No point of Order arises. The hon. Member was making a speech, and I called him to Order.

Later

Mr. Gallacher

On a point of Order. I am very anxious that this Question should be corrected. The Question that I put down was: to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the statement made by the Under-Secretary for Air that candidates for this House are too often, etc. The Question as it appears on the Paper gives the impression that it is I who am making the statement regarding Members of the House.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member must not read the original Question that he sent in.

Mr. Gallacher

If a Members puts a Question relating to a statement made by another Member, is it correct to turn it into a statement made by himself?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member must remember that I am responsible for the form in which a Question which he hands in appears on the Paper. He is not entitled to read to the House his original Question in the form in which he handed it in.

Mr. Silverman

Further to that point of Order. If the effect of a correction were to impute to the Member who put a Question something which he did not desire should be imputed to him and for which he was not responsible, would that not be an unfortunate result?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member could take his Question off the Paper if it were in a form which he did not like.