HC Deb 11 February 1960 vol 617 cc676-8
Mr. W. Yates

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This morning, in accordance with the custom of the House, I gave you notice that I should require your advice on the application of Standing Order No. 8 (3), which deals with Questions by Private Notice. My predicament is one which may in future affect the lot of all other hon. Members in their effort to temper the Executive. In my submission, this affects the rights and interests of every back bencher. It is, in particular, that—and I do not dispute at all your decision—you decided today to decline a Private Notice Question for answer by the Foreign Secretary.

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is quite contrary to the practice of the House for the hon. Member, having had a Private Notice Question refused, to refer in any way to the substance of it, however indirectly that might be.

Mr. Yates

Then may I refer, in that case, to the Private Notice Question I put down on 9th February?

Mr. Speaker

I do not understand in the context what is the point to which the hon. Member desires to refer me. I remember the text of his Question, which related to the then state of the Cyprus negotiations. He must be careful not to use that or any other device to indicate he substance of his Private Notice Question which was not allowed this day.

Mr. Yates

Is it your Ruling then, Mr. Speaker, that a Member who puts down a Private Notice Question of which the text is not out of order can have it immediately rejected without any reason given? Is that what I am to understand?

Mr. Speaker

I do not understand what the hon. Member means by "puts down a Private Notice Question". No Private Notice Question ever reaches the Order Paper. It is either allowed or disallowed by the Chair. If it is disallowed by the Chair, it does not exist any more and must not be referred to.

Mr. Yates

In deference to you, Mr. Speaker, and in deference to the Chair, for you are the guardian of our rights, I completely and absolutely, without question, accept your decision, but as I have your permission—[Interruption.] Hon. Members should be patient. As I have the Adjournment of the House tomorrow, that may be the opportunity for me to raise this matter in accordance with the rules of the House.

Mr. Speaker

I say nothing about that and I hope that the House can now get on with its other business.