§ The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:
§ 31. MR. A. HENDERSONTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the Italian Government, in view of the loading at Abadan of the Italian tanker "Miriella" with nearly 5,000 tons of refined oil.
§ Sir H. WilliamsMay I raise with you an interesting point of order, Mr. Speaker? There is on the Order Paper Question No. 31, in the name of the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson), about an Italian ship now on its way from Abadan to Italy. I asked your permission to ask a Private Notice Question and you quite properly refused that permission on the ground that there was already an anticipated Question in the name of the right hon. and learned Gentleman. As I believe the right hon. and learned Gentleman cancelled his Question shortly before the House met today, would it be possible for the Minister of State to answer the Question, because there is great public interest in this attempt to evade the "blockade," if that is the right description, from Abadan to Italy?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am sorry about that. I received the hon. Member's request to put a Private Notice Question. I saw this Question on the Order Paper. I had no idea 33 that this Question was to be cancelled or postponed, and I now understand that it has been postponed because, I am sorry to say, the right hon. and learned Gentleman is indisposed. I must maintain the rule that unless I receive notice from a Minister that he desires, in the public interest, to answer a Question which is not reached. I have no power in the matter.