HC Deb 31 July 1951 vol 491 cc1184-6
Mr. Osborne

I should like, Mr. Speaker, to call your attention to the fact that a most important Question to the Prime Minister was not reached today. May I remind you, Mr. Speaker, that some months ago, when the issue of reaching the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Questions was raised, you said that you would consider having the Prime Minister's Questions and those of the Chancellor of the Exchequer brought forward. In the last week or two, the Chancellor has been playing twelfth man and has not been able to deal with his Questions. Would it be possible to bring the Prime Minister's Questions to about No. 30, and after them to take the Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Mr. Speaker

It is not possible to get this Question answered now. I have no doubt that when we meet again matters can be considered as to whether there should be some re-arrangement in the order of Questions. At the moment, it is quite impossible for the Question to be answered.

Mr. Osborne

I merely raise it now because some months ago the question was brought to your notice, and you said you would consider the matter in the light of the experience of the next few months. I am suggesting to you that, in view of the experience of the last few days, something might be done in the matter.

Mr. Speaker

I am continually reviewing the matter and watching Questions all the time so that we might suit the convenience of the House. The trouble is that what suits one Member does not suit another. It is not easy to suit everyone.

Major Legge-Bourke

May I suggest that it would help if some way could be found to enable the Chairman of Ways and Means to deal with Motions such as he raised today at the end of Questions. In this case, we should have reached the Question which my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) wanted to put to the Prime Minister.

Mr. Speaker

I do not quite understand the hon. and gallant Gentleman's point.

Major Legge-Bourke

May I make myself clear. My hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne). complained that Question No. 45 to the Prime Minister had not been reached. At the beginning of Questions today the Chairman of Ways and Means presented a Motion which took up five minutes of Question Time. My point was that if he were enabled to present such a Motion at the end of Questions rather than at the beginning, the complaint of my hon. Friend would not have arisen.

Mr. Speaker

That would require an alteration in the Standing Orders, and I cannot do anything about that. That is a matter for the House.