§ Mr. W. FletcherOn a point of Order. At the beginning of Question Time today, Sir, the Chairman of Ways and Means dealt with certain Business, thereby diminishing the time available for answers to Questions. Would it not be possible for such Business to be taken after Questions, and not during Question hour?
Mr. SpeakerThat has never been our custom. Actually, Private Business can go on for a quarter of an hour during Question hour. Standing Orders would have to be altered. It is a matter for the House, not for me.
§ Mr. DribergWould it not be perfectly simple for the Government to do what has been suggested once or twice, to move to amend Standing Orders so that Question Time can last for one hour from the calling of Question No. 1?
Mr. SpeakerAs I have pointed out before, we have been occupied with a great many supplementary questions, which means that we get through fewer main Questions.