HC Deb 07 May 1951 vol 487 cc1587-8

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

60. Lieut.-Colonel Sir THOMAS MOORE,—To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to put a time limit on the discussions in Paris between the Foreign Ministers' Deputies, after which he will order his representative to return to this country.

Sir T. Moore

On a point of order. May I direct your attention, Mr. Speaker, to Question No. 60, and suggest that possibly the House may like to have an answer to it and that the Foreign Secretary may like to give that answer?

Mr. Speaker

That has nothing to do with me. Possibly the House may like to, or it may not; but it has nothing to do with me.

Sir T. Moore

I thought that if I raised it with you, Mr. Speaker, that would give an opportunity to the Secretary of State to answer the Question.

Mr. Speaker

It is no good raising it with me. I have no authority in the matter whatever. If a Minister wishes to answer a Question because he, and not other people, thinks it is of public importance, then he can ask leave to do so, and I can give my permission; but otherwise it has nothing to do with me at all.

Mr. Blackburn

On a point of order. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether you would be so kind as to say something about the fact that Questions to the Prime Minister today have not been reached, because this is important to those of us concerned about trade with China?

Mr. Speaker

If the hon. Gentleman has seen his daily newspapers he will know that a statement is to be made about trade with China. Indeed, I have already called the President of the Board of Trade. He is about to make that statement, which, I gather, will answer the hon. Gentleman's question.

Sir T. Moore

Further to my point of order. In view of the fact that we are apparently having a farce in Paris, which is highly detrimental to this country——

Mr. Speaker

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must not take the opportunity to discuss his own Question. That would be highly improper. If the Foreign Secretary wishes to answer the Question now, he can do so. If he does not, then the hon. and gallant Gentleman will get a written answer, and he must be satisfied with that.