HC Deb 21 January 1954 vol 522 cc1190-2
Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that I left this Question on the Order Paper partly to thank her for the excellent work she did in dealing with this specific case? What action is she taking to safeguard the rights of local education authorities to choose their own pupils for grammar school education, and to prevent children from being rejected by headmasters and governors—as was done at Woodbridge School—on grounds which the headmaster and the governors are still too cowardly to make public?

Miss Horsbrugh

I think it is well known, and probably this incident has brought it to the attention of people still more, that the Minister has power to interfere if it is thought that a rejection is unreasonable.

Mr. Speaker

Dr. King.

Mr. Hare

As this school is in my area, may I ask a supplementary question, Sir.

Mr. Speaker

I did not observe the hon. Member. The school is in his constituency.

Mr. Hare

I should like to join in the tribute to the Minister for the very capable way in which she dealt with this matter and ask her whether she is aware that her decision will be received with great satisfaction by the majority of the people who live in Suffolk where, for many generations, this school has earned the respect and the gratitude of hundreds of boys and parents who have passed through it?

Mr. Hamilton

On a point of order. Do I take it, Mr. Speaker, that because a Question happens to concern an hon. Member's constituency, that Member has a right to put a supplementary question? If that is the case—

Mr. Speaker

That is not the case. In this instance I did not observe the hon. Member rise. Had I observed him, I should have called him, but there is no such right as that mentioned by the hon. Member. I have to depend largely on the nature of the Question and the answer, but on a local matter I generally pay some attention to that consideration.

Mr. Pannell

On this matter of supplementary questions, I appreciate that it is entirely within your discretion, Mr. Speaker, but at the end of the last Question there was only the hon. Member for Sudbury and Woodbridge (Mr. Hare) on his feet. On the previous Question there were eight Members on their feet wanting to ask supplementary questions, but that was brought to a peremptory close. I do not know whether there is any general rule about this business or whether you try to form an opinion on the facts, but Question No. 29 was on an unsavoury subject.

Mr. Speaker

That did not enter into my mind in the slightest. I might tell the House that it is a factor that weighs with me that if a large number of hon. Members rise to ask supplementary questions, it is impossible to satisfy them all, and the Question will enlarge itself into a debate unless I exercise some control. It is very difficult to choose who should ask supplementary questions in most cases, but on a local matter different considerations apply.