HC Deb 23 March 1955 vol 538 cc2042-4
9. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the rate of new telephone connections he plans for 1955 compared with 1951; by how much percentum the installation rate for 1955 has increased compared with 1951; and what is the waiting list.

Mr. Nabarro

Before this Question is answered, may I ask your protection, Mr. Speaker, for Members of this House both in the case of this Question and of that to which the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Ness Edwards) referred, Question No. 3? Both Questions were put on the Order Paper of this House from 10 to 14 days ago. It has now been brought to our notice that absolutely identical matters formed the subject of a statement in another place yesterday by the Minister responsible, in order evidently to make a circumvention of the orderly and usual answer to Questions in this House. How can we be protected from a practice of this kind?

Mr. Speaker

I see no point of order in this. Members in the other place are entitled to make statements just as are Members of this House.

Mr. Woodburn

While not imputing any such motives to the Postmaster-General in another place, I think it seems a little discourteous to this House if Questions here are anticipated by statements in the other place.

Mr. Speaker

That is quite another matter. It is certainly not a point of order.

Sir. E. Boyle

In answer to the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my noble Friend yesterday to a Question in another place. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of this answer.

Mr. Nabarro

On a point of order. May I have the statement read in reply to my Question, which was on the Order Paper long before the matter was raised in the other place?

Mr. Speaker

I do not think that is necessary. The hon. Member has been referred to a Government statement on the matter, and that is quite enough. Mr. Nabarro.

Mr. Nabarro

Are you calling me to put a supplementary question, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker

I am calling Question No. 10.

Mr. Nabarro

May I put a supplementary question on No. 9? I rose to ask a supplementary, which is whether my hon. Friend will tell me by what margin per centum the number of telephone installations in the character of new connections during 1955 will exceed the new connections during the year 1951. That is a supplementary question to the original Question.

Sir. E. Boyle

By 28 per cent.

Mr. Ross

How many of these were party lines?

Sir. E. Boyle

I have not that figure here.