HC Deb 12 May 1950 vol 475 cc719-20

The following Notice of Motion stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Sir IAN FRASER: Return showing the number of controls involving licences, permits, rationing or other restrictions introduced since 1939, which are still operated by the Treasury, the Home Office, the Post Office, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Health, the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Food, the Ministry of Town and Country Planning, the Ministry of Fuel and Power, and the Ministry of Supply respectively.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Turton.

Sir Ian Fraser

Do I understand, Mr. Speaker, that you are going to refrain from calling the Motion standing in my name, and, if so, may I raise a point of Order with you?

Mr. Speaker

I certainly have refrained from calling the Motion, because it comes in the list of opposed Business. It is a general rule that if a Private Member puts down a Motion of that kind and I am informed that it is contrary to the wish of the Department concerned, it is never called, and that is the rule which I have applied this time.

Sir I. Fraser

May I submit a point of Order to you, Mr. Speaker? It seems clear from Erskine May, in pages 253–6, that were the House to pass such a Motion, the Chancellor of the Exchequer would have no option but to comply with it and make this return. This is not an "early day" Motion.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman must not argue it. All anybody has to do is to say "Object." Supposing I did call it, it is in unopposed Business time and if it is opposed it cannot, therefore, be called. One cannot debate or argue it now.

Sir I. Fraser

May I raise a question of the discretion exercised by you, Mr. Speaker, not the use of your discretion but as to whether discretion lies with the Speaker?

Mr. Speaker

I have no discretion at all. If I am informed that it is opposed Business, it cannot be mentioned in unopposed Business time.

Sir I. Fraser

I beg to give notice that in view of the Chancellor's refusal to answer this, I shall raise the subject on the Adjournment.