Wing-Commander JamesI desire to raise a point of Order, and to ask your guidance, Sir, on a matter of which I have given you notice. I refer to Question 21 on to-day's Order Paper. I wish to ask, whether it will not become an abuse and a farce if Members are going to put down individual cases about their constituents, on compassionate grounds. We have all got these cases. I have three at the present moment, two of them pathetic, but they are not cases, I submit, to be dealt with by question and answer, except in exceptional circumstances, Would it not be a good thing if a Ruling were given that, except in exceptional circumstances, such individual cases should not be raised at Question Time?
§ Major C. S. TaylorMay I point out that the subject-matter of this Question had been the subject of considerable correspondence with the War Office before I put the Question down? As a last resort, because I could get no satisfaction, I tabled this Question. Secondly, I would point out that the fact that this bakery business will probably have to close down means great hardship for a large number of my constituents.
Wing-Commander JamesMay I point out that we have all got these hard cases, and that if we all put Questions down about them there would be no time for other questions?
§ Mr. SpeakerThis question has been raised once or twice before. I believe that the position is quite clear. Hon. Members should, as far as possible, either put down a non-oral Question or conduct the matter by correspondence. But there must be exceptional cases, when a Member feels that he is driven, perhaps by refusal, to put down a Question. While I deprecate putting down too many Questions of this kind, one must leave it to the common sense of Members.