HC Deb 04 March 1952 vol 497 cc177-8

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

83. MR. DAVID LOGAN

To ask the Minister of Labour, if he is aware that Mr. John Bennett, out on licence from the Calderstone Institution, sought employment at Renshaw Street Employment Exchange, Liverpool; that he was informed that he was eligible for National Service, and after medical examination was graded A1; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Logan

I wish to ask a question on a point of procedure, Mr. Speaker. I put down a Question to the Secretary of State for War and it has been transferred to the Minister of Labour. As it is a matter of public importance, and I think I was correct in putting it down to the Secretary of State for War, I want to know from you, Mr. Speaker, if a Department has the right, on a matter which concerns that Department, to transfer a Question to another Department. If so, shall I have the power to transfer this Question to the Secretary of State for War for him to give me an answer why a mental case should be taken into the Army?

Mr. Speaker

It is customary for Ministers to transfer Questions addressed to them which involve the responsibility of another Department. It is done by Ministers and not by me. Which is the hon. Member's Question?

Mr. Logan

Question No. 83.

Mr. Speaker

Perhaps the hon. Member will take my advice and wait to see what answer he gets and, if it is unsatisfactory, return to the matter.

Mrs. Jean Mann

Is it in order for a Minister to transfer a Question to another Minister but answer the very same Question put by another hon. Member? I put a Question to the President of the Board of Trade asking for a statement on the Purchase Tax utility scheme and it was transferred by him to the Chancellor of the Exchequer but at the same time he answered a similar Question put to him by the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser).

Mr. Speaker

That, again, is a matter for Ministers. It sounds a strange transaction as the hon. Lady puts it. If she gives me particulars, I will look into it.

Mr. Logan

My point is that the whole thing is a farce and that the Minister can escape the responsibility of a Question which legitimately belongs to his Department, and I reckon that an hon. Member ought to have the right to maintain his position and have the responsible Minister answering. The Ministry of Labour have nothing to do with lunatics.

Mr. Speaker

It is a fundamental rule that Questions must relate to the responsibility of the Minister who is interrogated, and when one Minister transfers a Question to another Minister and that other Minister accepts it, there must be agreement between the two Ministers that the Question falls within the responsibility of the latter rather than of the former.

Mr. Hector Hughes

On a point of order. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] This is a very important matter. Surely no Minister has the right to transfer an hon. Member's Question to another Minister without the consent of that hon. Member, especially when it results in the hon. Member's Question being postponed?

Mr. Speaker

The Minister has that right to transfer.