§ Mr. C. R. AttleeMay I ask the Leader of the House whether he has any statement to make on business?
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Harry Crookshank)Yes, Sir. Tomorrow, after the debate on Central African Federation, a debate will take place on textiles instead of on the sale of new cars, which I announced last Thursday. This alteration is, of course, being made at the request of the Opposition.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has now given any attention to the Motion standing on the Order Paper in my name and the names of my hon. Friends concerning the Chair—
That this House regrets the action of Mr. Speaker in accepting a Motion for the closure after calling the honourable Member for Kirkcaldy and before the same had had the opportunity to speak—about which he said he was unable to make a statement on Thursday because he had only just had his attention brought to the matter?
§ Mr. CrookshankI still cannot make any statement.
§ Mr. SilvermanOn a point of order. I should like to ask you, Mr. Speaker, what steps it is appropriate to take in this matter. Putting down a Motion of the character to which I have referred is a most unusual thing, and I can assure you, Sir, that it was not put down light-mindedly or frivolously. Is it not a little unusual that such a Motion should be left on the Order Paper undisposed of, and that the Leader of the House should not be in a hurry to find time to dispose of it?
§ Mr. SpeakerI cannot answer that. I have known it happen in the past.