HC Deb 06 June 1961 vol 641 cc886-7
Mr. Snow

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I draw your attention to Question No. 58 on the Order Paper?

I tabled this Question after representations by certain of my constituents that there should be an official proposal to invite Major Yuri Gagarin to this country as some indication of our recognition of a very gallant feat by this officer. I am advised that the Question would have appeared originally as Question No. 50, but it was transferred by the Prime Minister's office to the Lord Privy Seal.

I made representations to the Prime Minister, who, on reconsideration, very courteously said that he would answer it himself. The Table Office then put it back in the list as No. 58, and I wonder whether you could give a Ruling as to whether it should have been taken de novo by the Table Office?

Mr. Speaker

I cannot do that. I did inquire about what had happened to the hon. Member's Question, but the difficulty is that the transfer of questions is not for me, and when one is retransferred back to the list from which it was taken, I cannot help the fact that meanwhile it will have lost some priority.

The circumstances, though I do not know exactly what they are, seem rather strange in this case. I am sure that the Ministers concerned will have heard what has happened to the hon. Member's Question, which should be a matter of regret.

Mr. S. Silverman

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Since it is your view that that Question is not one for you to answer but for the Prime Minister, may I have your permission to ask it of the Prime Minister? Will the Prime Minister—

Mr. Speaker

Order. There is some misunderstanding. I thought that the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman) was still addressing me. I do not think that I can give him permission to ask another Question of the Prime Minister, because the time for Questions has gone. If I make an exception in the case of the hon. Member, I would have to make it equally in respect of others.

Mr. Shinwell

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Can I have a guarantee that if I leave Question No. 42 on the Order Paper it will be reached before the end of this Session?

Mr. Speaker

How happy I should be to give the right hon. Gentleman that undertaking. I am not sufficiently rash, however.