HC Deb 03 February 1959 vol 599 cc205-7
Mr. Speaker

I have a short statement with which to trouble the House. On 26th January last, Questions were asked by the hon. Member for Barry (Mr. Gower) and the hon. Member for The Wrekin (Mr. W. Yates) about the distribution of coal in their constituencies. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power replied that responsibility for the distribution of coal now rested with the National Coal Board and that Members should write to the Board on such questions.

The right hon. Gentleman the Member for Blyth (Mr. Robens) then asked me if that Answer meant that those Questions would no longer be accepted at the Table. Realising the importance of this matter to hon. Members, I thought that I ought to see the Answers in print before I replied.

I have now considered the Answers and I have no doubt that they amount to a refusal to answer this type of Question, on the ground that it is a matter for the Board now that coal rationing no longer applies. This brings such Questions under the rule which prevents the Table from accepting Questions to which an Answer has been refused.

Subject to that general rule, the Clerks at the Table will continue to give hon. Members every assistance in framing their Questions so as to put them in order, and these matters can always be raised on the Adjournment, of course.

Mr. Robens

We are all very grateful for what you have just said, Mr. Speaker. I take it that if hon. Members have particular questions about domestic coal supplies in their areas, they will get quicker and better answers if they now direct their Questions to the Chairman of the National Coal Board. In the meantime, I am sure that the House is grateful for your statement that the Clerks will help to frame Questions so that they may successfully pass the Table.

Mr. Speaker

I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, and I agree with what he has said.

Mr. Remnant

If a complaint about coal supplies, such as you have had under consideration, can be raised on the Adjournment, which Ministry is responsible, Mr. Speaker? If it is the Ministry of Power, why is it in order for the Minister to refuse to answer Questions and yet be responsible for answering on the Adjournment?

Mr. Speaker

Under the nationalisation statutes, the Minister has the right to get such information from the Board as he requires. That would enable him to answer an Adjournment debate. The rule against accepting a Question to which an Answer has already been refused applies only to Questions.

Mr. Gower

While thanking you for that Ruling, Sir, is it not a matter of great concern that it makes it even more difficult to ask Questions about these industries than before they were nationalised? Is it not important that this matter should be fully considered by the House?

Mr. Speaker

That is a matter of opinion. This is a very old subject. Ever since 1948, when the nationalisation statutes were passed, Ministers have consistently refused to give information about the day-to-day working of the nationalised industries, on the ground, among others, that to do so would impair the commercial and industrial efficiency of those industries. That being the attitude of Ministers from both sides, the rule of the House has come into operation. That is all I can say.