HC Deb 18 November 1941 vol 376 cc160-2
22. Miss Ward

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that recently the answers to two Questions, on which supplementaries might have been asked, were circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will give an assurance that he will not again ask the leave of the House to circulate replies to this sort of Question?

The Secretary of State for War (Captain Margesson)

I do not know what particular Questions the hon. Lady has in mind, but I think hon. Members will agree that in view of the limited time available, the well-established practice of circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT answers that are long and detailed or contain a great many figures is one that suits the convenience of the House as a whole, and I see no reason to depart from the usual procedure in such cases.

Miss Ward

In view of the fact that my right hon. and gallant Friend answered many Supplementary Questions concerning the pay of officers and other matters— and certainly Supplementary Questions would have been asked on this matter— may I ask whether in future he will give long replies at the end of Questions instead of circulating them in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Captain Margesson

I think that when answers are long, especially when they contain figures, it is often best for the House to have the chance to peruse them so that Members can later put down any Questions they wish to raise and receive an answer.

Miss Ward

What is the objection to following the usual practice by giving long answers at the end of Questions?

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

82. To ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply why, in view of the shortage of metal, brass buttons are issued on Army and Home Guard uniforms? At the end of Questions.

Mr. Culverwell

I wish to raise a point of Order relating to Question 82 on the Order Paper. I have always understood that it was the duty of the War Office to order the type and quantity of equipment required and for the Ministry of Supply to provide it, and as the use of brass buttons involves great waste of time, labour and metal polish, I naturally put this Question to the Secretary of State for War and I should like to ask why it has been transferred to the Ministry of Supply.

Mr. Speaker

We did not reach that Question to-day.

Mr. Culverwell

On a further point of Order, Mr. Speaker, arising out of what you have just said. I originally put down this Question, quite reasonably as I thought, to the Secretary of State for War, but it has been transferred to the Ministry of Supply for a day on which it was most improbable that it would be reached. Therefore, I am asking you why it was transferred to the Ministry of Supply, and, when it was transferred, why it was not put down for a day on which it would be likely to be answered in the House?

Mr. Speaker

I have often explained to hon. Members that a Question should be put down to the particular Government Department concerned with the subject, and in this case I imagine the Minister of Supply was regarded as the more suitable Minister to reply to it. As regards the position of the Question on the Order Paper, that is a mere matter of chance.

Sir H. Williams

Is not this a Question which clearly should have been addressed to the War Office? The decision as to the kind of uniform worn is entirely within their responsibility.

Mr. Speaker

That is not a matter for me.

Mr. Culverwell

Supposing I were to put down a Question to the Secretary of State for War asking why or whether snowshoes have been issued to the troops in Libya, could he possibly transfer it to the Minister of Supply?

Mr. Speaker

I could not say without seeing the Question.

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