§ Mr. Henderson StewartMay I seek your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on a matter which is causing increasing public concern, and in regard to which the performance of the duties of Members seems at present to be restricted? As you are aware, Mr. Speaker, throughout Scotland every day of the week there are many unheralded cuts in electricity services, with the result that many factories are suddenly thrown into darkness while the machinery may still be running, thereby causing a great danger to life.
I have tried, and so have many of my hon. Friends, to get questions accepted at the Table on this matter of broad public policy, but on each occasion I have been informed, and so have my hon. Friends, that this cannot be regarded as a matter suitable for Questions because it is a question of day-to-day administration of the boards affected. May I put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that these cuts are the result of Government policy as laid down in the White Paper on Economic Policy, which was published some time ago? Therefore, particularly as this covers the whole country and involves the lives of perhaps hundreds of people, and possibly, as I said earlier, potential tragedy, would it not be possible for Members to be entitled to address Questions to Ministers about this most important matter?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am really a little surprised at the hon. Gentleman's question, because I am perfectly well aware that we have had a Question by a Glasgow Member in regard to electricity cuts and their effect on industry. As far as I know, the Table does not stop that kind of Question. Therefore, I really do not know what the hon. Member is wanting.
§ Mr. StewartIf your declaration, Mr. Speaker, now means that we may address Questions to the Minister of Fuel and Power—which is what the Scottish Secretary advised me—in regard to these constant cuts, I am satisfied, but is that really so? I am not sure.
§ Mr. SpeakerOf course, if a particular Question has been very fully answered, further Questions are stopped at the Table. It is very difficult in answering Questions, but I do my best—I have some authority on the matter—to see that every legitimate Question is put on the Order Paper. I cannot, however, answer offhand whether a Question has been fully answered before. If so, of course, it cannot be put down again. Whether a Question is put to the Minister of Fuel and Power or to the Secretary of State for Scotland, I really cannot answer that sort of question offhand. I should like to be informed of a particular case, and then I would consider it.
§ Mr. StewartI am sorry to press this matter—
§ Mr. ManuelOn a point of order—
§ Mr. SpeakerI cannot have two points of order at the same time. I am dealing with one now.
§ Mr. StewartYou will recall, Mr. Speaker, that some months ago I raised much the same point in regard to a railway accident, and I then appealed successfully to the Lord President of the Council not to regard that matter as one of day-to-day administration. The Lord President then agreed that Questions of that kind, affecting large sections of the community, would not be regarded as matters of day-to-day administration. May I appeal to him now, Sir, to consider what is, in effect, the same situation?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonOn this matter, Mr. Speaker gave a Ruling some time ago, which I think was accepted by both sides of the House, and, as far as I know, that Ruling is being observed and upheld by the Table and it is also being observed by Ministers. I do not think there is any need for further action.