HC Deb 18 November 1957 vol 578 cc32-3
Mr. Mellish

On a point of order. I should be grateful for your help and guidance, Mr. Speaker. I asked, as you know, whether it would be possible to put a Private Notice Question to the Minister of Health relating to the dispute now in progress with some thousands of administrative and clerical workers and affecting 7,000 hospitals. You, Sir, quite rightly, I think, in view of Question No. 59 on the Paper, ruled that it would not be necessary to ask a Private Notice Question. The Question I put to you for your guidance is whether it is possible now to ask the Minister to answer Question No. 59? It would enable the Minister to make a statement on the position and on how the dispute can be resolved. Unless something is done soon we shall face a very grave problem in the hospitals.

Mr. Speaker

I am afraid not. I have not been asked leave to answer that Question. Moreover, I would point out that another reason which led me to disallow the hon. Gentleman's request was that I did not think it was sufficiently urgent for a Private Notice Question.

Mr. J. Griffiths

May I ask whether the Minister proposes to make a statement following the decision of a responsible organisation?

Mr. Speaker

I have no doubt that he has heard what has been said.

Mr. Lewis

Can we take it, Mr. Speaker, that if the Minister were to ask your permission you would not be backward in granting that permission?

Mr. Speaker

I should have to look at the Question first.

Mr. Mellish

With great respect, Mr. Speaker, the position at the moment is that the staffs of 7,000 hospitals have now gone on strike in the sense that they are now slowing down on certain administrative work which may affect the patients' health. I do beg you to believe and ask you to accept that this matter has now become one of urgency. Usually when there is a dispute of this character and it has reached this stage the Minister of Labour tells us here what is being done to resolve it.

Mr. Speaker

I have considered all that and I do not think this matter is urgent enough for a Private Notice Question.

Mr. Mellish

When does it become urgent?