HC Deb 18 November 1958 vol 595 cc1013-4

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

52. MR. HAMILTON

To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT his remarks made at the fireworks party, given recently at the Swedish Embassy, which were the subject of an official Czechoslovakian protest.

Mr. Hamilton

Question No. 52.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

Mr. Speaker

The Prime Minister—a statement.

Mr. Hamilton

On a point of order. I think the Prime Minister has just answered Question No. 52.

Mr. Speaker

I have called the Prime Minister to make a statement because I was informed that the time was half-past three o'clock, and it was therefore my duty to bring Questions to an end. No doubt Question No. 52 will appear with a Written Answer and will be circulated as usual.

Mr. Hamilton

Further to that point of order. I was distinctly under the impression that the Prime Minister had answered Question No. 52. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."]

Mr. Speaker

The Prime Minister gave an Answer to the last Question which was in time.

Mr. Hamilton

I called out "No. 52", Mr. Speaker, and I think the Prime Minister indicated that he heard me call out and that he answered me by saying "No, Sir".

The Prime Minister

indicated assent.

Mr. Hamilton

I therefore thought it was reasonable that I should claim the right to ask a supplementary question following that Answer.

Mr. Speaker

There seems to be a general desire that this Question should be asked and answered, but I cannot help it. The hon. Member says that he called out the number of his Question, but I had not called upon him to ask the Question. I have no power to do so.

Mr. Bellenger

Further to that point of order. Would you kindly inform me, Mr. Speaker, whether the Answer given orally to Question 52 by the Prime Minister is to be given in the record?

Mr. Speaker

We shall see the record when it turns up.

Mr. S. Silverman

Further to the point of order. Although you, Mr. Speaker, did not in fact call upon him to do so, the Prime Minister did, in fact, answer Question 52 by saying "No, Sir". That surely indicates that it was the Prime Minister's wish to answer the Question. Is not it usual and customary when a Minister, and particularly the Prime Minister, wishes to answer a Question which would be reached a little later than 3.30 to ask Mr. Speaker for permission to answer the Question and that that permission is normally given?

Mr. Speaker

It is, but I was not asked beforehand for leave to answer this Question after the time for Questions. I understand that the Prime Minister now has a statement to make on a strip mill.