HC Deb 25 February 1948 vol 447 cc1929-30

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. PLATTS-MILLS:

16. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why it has been decided that the heads of the British Military and Police Missions shall in future attend meetings of the so-called Greek Supreme Council for National Defence; and how this affects his repeated undertakings to withdraw all British Forces from that country as soon as possible.

Major Tufton Beamish

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, may I ask your guidance about Question No. 16?

Mr. Speaker

That Question has not yet been asked, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman may ask a question about it if he wishes.

Major Beamish

I wish to raise a point of Order about the fact that the Question refers to the Greek Supreme Council for National Defence as the "so-called" Council. That seems to me to insinuate that the Council is either improperly constituted or illegally elected which, so far as I know, is not the case. Is it in Order to insinuate that that is so when in fact it is not so?

Mr. Speaker

An hon. Member is entirely responsible for what he puts on the Order Paper. If a Question obeys the Rules of Order, the Chair cannot withhold it. The hon. Member who puts it down is responsible for the facts or the allegations he puts therein.

Mr. Martin Lindsay

I have always understood that insinuations were contrary to the Rules of Order for Questions. Is this not an insinuation?

Mr. Speaker

I did not notice an insinuation in it.

Mr. Lindsay

Is not the insinuation in the word "so-called," that this body is not properly constituted?

Mr. Gallacher

Further to that point of Order—

Mr. Speaker

I had better answer this one first. I cannot see that "so-called" makes an insinuation. The hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Major Beamish) is responsible himself for saying that. That is his own opinion. I cannot see that there is an insinuation in that.

Mr. Rankin

Might I raise this further point, Mr. Speaker? When does a Question become the property of this House? Does it become the property of the House when it appears on the Order Paper, or when it is called by you, Sir?

Mr. Speaker

I suppose, when it appears on the Order Paper we must be able to take notice of it. That is a public document.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not quite incorrect to refer to this as a "Greek Supreme Council" when there are Americans on it?

Mr. Speaker

All I can say is that I am quite unable to answer that question.

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Is it not quite clear now, from the remarks of the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) that there is an innuendo in this phrase "so-called Greek Supreme Council"?

Mr. Speaker

I thought it was quite clearly the other way. I cannot see that there is an innuendo. I suggest, as this Question is not being asked, we had better get on with Questions.

Back to