HC Deb 13 March 1952 vol 497 cc1568-9
Captain Duncan

On a point of order. May I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the fact that once again Questions to the Ministry of Agriculture have not been reached? I think I am right in saying that Questions to that Department have not been finished, even if they have been reached, for nearly three months, whereas yesterday Questions to the Ministry of Labour were reached for the second time in one week. Will you, Mr. Speaker, through the usual channels, make arrangements so that Questions to the Ministry of Agriculture revolve, as do Questions to the Ministry of Labour?

Mr. Nabarro

Further to that point of order. May I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the fact that, because the Minister of Agriculture does not rotate, statistics show that during the last 12 months one Question in four is all that has been taken orally? In view of the interest of agricultural Members in these affairs, can you, Mr. Speaker, persuade the Minister to rotate?

Mr. Speaker

I have no doubt that that is a matter which will be turned round in the mind of the Government, and a satisfactory conclusion reached. I must point out that, while yesterday we did 67 Questions, today we have done only 43. There were far more supplementaries today, and they were of greater length.