HC Deb 25 March 1952 vol 498 cc208-9
Mr. Nabarro

On a point of order. May I have your guidance, Mr. Speaker? For 80 per cent. of Question time on the Tuesdays during the last few months hon. Members on both sides of the House have been attempting to get oral replies from the Chancellor of the Exchequer to Questions that are constantly transferred forward, and due to the right hon. Gentleman's immobility—to the fact that he answers in exactly the same position every Tuesday and does not rotate in exactly the same way as other Ministers—hon. Members have found it quite impossible to get those oral replies. Can we have your guidance as to how this matter may be raised in the House in order to make the Chancellor mobile and cause him to rotate?

Mr. Speaker

The only way in which it could be raised in the House would be by putting down a Motion, but these matters are usually arranged through the usual channels, acceptably, generally, to hon. Members on both sides, and I would advise, if this is a genuine complaint, as I have no doubt it is, that the two sides should get together to see if something can be done about it.

Sir Herbert Williams

Would it not be a help if Scottish supplementary Questions were a little briefer?

Mr. Hector McNeil

For guidance as to brevity, Mr. Speaker, may we turn to you instead of to the hon. Member for Croydon, East (Sir H. Williams)?