§ 46. Mr. Warbeyasked the Prime Minister whether he will make arrangements for answers to Questions addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to receive precedence on one day a week.
§ The Prime MinisterThere are a number of difficulties in my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I will see that his point of view is kept in mind.
§ Later—
§ Wing-Commander RobinsonOn a point of Order. I have on the Order 609 Paper today, Mr. Speaker, Question No. 7o, which involves restrictions placed by the Minister of Food on the right of constituents to approach their own Members of Parliament. In view of its importance, may I invite the Minister of Food to exercise his right to give an oral answer to that Question?
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not think this is a good custom. Any hon. Member might get up and say, "May I have my Question answered? "It is the prerogative of the Minister alone to answer a Question if it has not been reached.
§ Sir Henry Morris-JonesFurther to that point of Order, may I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the fact that there are 27 Questions to the Minister of Food and that we have no means in this House of securing answers to them from one of the most important Departments of the Government? May I ask the Prime Minister if he will give consideration to the fact that the Ministry of Food touches the life of the people so closely that it is very important to hon. Members to have answers to their Questions?
§ The Prime MinisterIn answer to the hon. Member, I would say that the whole question in regard to the allocation and the order in which Questions should be taken is now under consideration through the usual channels, with a view to alterations and improvements in the new Session.
§ Mr. ChurchillIn the course of that consideration, will the Prime Minister bear in mind the idea of giving another quarter of an hour to Questions?
§ The Prime MinisterWe will give consideration to all these matters.