HC Deb 04 December 1950 vol 482 cc33-4
Miss Irene Ward

On a matter of business, Sir.

Mr. Speaker

Does the hon. Lady want to ask a question on business?

Miss Ward

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Speaker

I have had no notice of it.

Miss Ward

I wanted to ask the Lord President a question on business. Would not that be in order?

Mr. Speaker

No. Let me explain that it is not customary for an ordinary Member to get up at any time at the end of Questions to ask questions on business. When business has started for the day very often one can ask the Minister responsible how far it is proposed to proceed with that business, and questions of that sort, but ordinary questions about business for the week are not permissible. I must have notice of them, and the Minister would expect notice of them, too. It is wrong for ordinary Private Members to get up at the end of Questions and ask questions on business. One occurred last Friday, which I allowed. It was my fault, and I do not propose to allow any more.

Miss Ward

With great respect, Mr. Speaker, this matter of business arose only out of the Questions and answers today, and, therefore, it was not possible for me either to ask your permission or to give notice to the Minister concerned? I am in rather a quandary. Will you let me ask my question on business now? May I ask the Lord President of the Council—

Mr. Speaker

It is not in order for Private Members to ask business questions without notice.

Captain Crookshank

Further to that point, may I remind you, Mr. Speaker, of what the Manual of Procedure, paragraph 54, says? No questions are taken after a quarter before four,"— of course, it is a different time now, but it does not affect the substance— except … (b) questions which have not appeared on the notice paper, but which are of an urgent character, and relate either to matters of public importance or to the arrangement of business.

Mr. Speaker

And of an "urgent character."

Captain Crookshank

No, Sir, "or."

Mr. Speaker

It has never been our custom for Private Members to get up at the end of Question Time and ask questions on business. One could imagine that if it were, half a dozen Members would be getting up and asking the Government about the business for the week or for the next week, or about their Motions on the Order Paper. It has never been our custom for Private Members to ask business questions, except on a Thursday when we do ask Questions about the following week's business.

Miss Ward

This is rather a matter of urgency, and, therefore, I think, with great respect, Mr. Speaker, that it could come under the Standing Orders. May I ask the Lord President of the Council whether—[HON. MLMBERS: "No."] This is evidence that the Government are frightened.

Mr. Speaker

If a Member asks a question that is no reason why he should receive an answer.

Miss Ward

May I ask the Lord President of the Council, in view of the statement made by the Minister of Defence over the week-end, when we are to have the next statement on Korea?

Mr. Speaker

That, of course, is quite outside his competence now.