HC Deb 12 November 1951 vol 493 cc648-50
The Minister of Health (Mr. Harry Crookshank)

The problem of how to deal with Parliamentary Questions regarding the nationalised industries has for some time past been a matter of concern to hon. Members in all parts of the House and the Government feel that sufficient experience has now been gained to justify the setting up of a Select Committee.

It is the Government's intention to ask the House to agree to the appointment of a Select Committee to investigate the whole of this problem and report to the House.

I suggest, Mr. Speaker, that the existing arrangements should continue until the House has received and considered the Report from the Select Committee.

Mr. Erroll

Would it not help the work of the Select Committee if rather more latitude were allowed in the answering of these Questions in the interval, so that we can all see the benefits which may accrue from Ministers answering the Questions?

Mr. Speaker

The practice in the last Parliament was one whereby my predecessor exercised a certain discretion to allow certain Questions which otherwise would not have been allowed. For my part I am prepared to continue to try to exercise that discretion, but on the same terms as my predecessor, namely, that my discretion shall not be questioned nor argued about in the House.

Mr. David Renton

When exercising your discretion, Mr. Speaker, may I respectfully ask that you should bear in mind that up to the present there have been great discrepancies of practice on the part of Ministers representing different nationalised industries? Would you be so good as to ensure that all Ministers answering such Questions are placed in approximately the same position?

Mr. John Paton

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the terms of reference of the Committee, or at least indicate their scope?

Mr. Crookshank

The scope is to investigate the problem of Questions on nationalised industries; the terms of reference will be placed on the Order Paper as soon as possible.

Mr. A. Edward Davies

Will the position be the same as in the past? We understand that responsibility is being taken from the House and it will not be good enough for a Select Committee to review the matter retrospectively if there is to be no responsibility for answering many of these Questions in the future as soon as power is taken away. Will they take account of that problem?

Major H. Legge-Bourke

Will my right hon. Friend consider allowing the Select Committee to consider the Post Office as well, for although not entirely analogous there are some practices which are similar to those of the other nationalised industries?

Mr. Speaker

As a Select Committee is proposed, perhaps we had better leave the discussion until we see the terms of reference.