HC Deb 23 March 1960 vol 620 c501
Mr. Warbey

On a point of order. May I ask whether the Minister of Defence has sought your permission, Mr. Speaker, to answer Questions Nos. 41, 42, and 43 after Question Time, because I should like to put it to you, Sir—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member may not do that.

Mr. Warbey

With respect, Sir, I desire to put the reason for my submission, which is that last week my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Zilliacus) and myself were requested by the Minister of Defence, who was then in the Middle East and who sent a signal to this country, to defer our Questions to this week so that he could answer them in person.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member must realise that this is quite incorrect. The fact is that, if a Question is not reached, there is no device of which I know to draw attention to the matter. I sympathise with the hon. Gentleman in his misfortune, but I cannot allow him to do what he is now doing.