HC Deb 05 July 1956 vol 555 c1544
Mrs. Mann

On a point of order. I wish to have your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on the responsibility of Ministers in regard to Questions. I had a Question down for the Chancellor of the Exchequer today. I had asked him if, in view of food survey reports which show that the diet of children is below the standard set by the British Medical Association, he would postpone the implementation of the higher price for school meals. The Chancellor has passed my Question to the Minister of Education. I would have put it to the Minister of Education in the first place, but has that Minister any power to postpone the raising of the price of the school meal? If he has not, why should my Question be passed to the Minister of Education?

Mr. Speaker

I could not answer the hon. Lady's question. As I have frequently said in this House, the transference of Questions from one Minister to another has nothing at all to do with me. The Ministers know the bounds of their responsibility better than I do, and it is a matter completely outside my control.