§ Mr. Ellis SmithMay I ask the Prime Minister a question arising out of yesterday's OFFICIAL REPORT? In normal circumstances, it would have been my duty to ask the Leader of the House, whose absence we all regret. In the circumstances, I am forced to ask the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not think that that is in order. I have had no notice of the question and there has been no notice on the Order Paper. The hon. Gentleman cannot just spring a question on the Prime Minister like that.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithOn a point of order, then. My point of order is based upon 222 yesterday's OFFICIAL REPORT, in which certain definite promises are given. I desire to speak on behalf of thousands of men who are in a very difficult position. The Minister of Labour and National Service made this statement yesterday:
I shall… be glad to help the parties towards a settlement as soon as the opportunity arises."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 23rd July, 1956; Vol. 557, c. 33.]May I ask the Prime Minister whether that opportunity has arisen?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Member has not put his question in order by calling it a point of order. It cannot be asked now.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithDoes that mean, then. Sir, that we are to have long reports about many other parts of the world, but that on behalf of our own men, who are in a very difficult position through no fault of their own, we are not to be given an opportunity of speaking inside this House, especially after the way they have been treated by the British Motor Corporation?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member has, with great ingenuity and persistence, said quite a lot on this matter. I cannot allow any more to be said at the present time.
§ The Prime MinisterMay I say, Sir, that no kind of notice has reached me on this matter. Had notice been given under the rules, I would have been quite prepared to give an answer.