HC Deb 25 April 1950 vol 474 cc772-3
44. Mr. Mikardo

asked the Secretary of State for War why King Farouk has been made a General of the British Army.

Mr. Strachey

The honorary rank of General was conferred on King Farouk by His Majesty the King. The conferment of honorary rank in His Majesty's Forces on the heads of foreign States and other distinguished foreign persons is a matter which lies within the Royal Prerogative.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

No supplementary questions can be allowed on this Question.

At the end of Questions—

Earl Winterton

I desire to raise a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, and to ask you whether, in future, in view of the constitutional position, any Questions relating to the conferment of rank or honours upon a foreign Sovereign will not be admitted at the Table, and that any reference will be forbidden in debate?

Mr. Speaker

The noble Lord is perfectly right. I have no doubt he noticed the way in which, my attention having been drawn to the answer, no supplementary questions were allowed. I can assure the noble Lord that now we know the facts nothing more of that kind will appear on the Order Paper.