§ The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:
§ 45. Mr. DEREK PAGETo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proposals he has to simplify the formalities required for the drawback of temporary surcharge on chemicals used in the manufacture of products for export.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Derek Page, Question No. 45.
§ Mr. Derek PageMay I have an Answer to my Question?
§ Mr. George BrownMay I say on behalf of all of us that we regret that because we have made under your chairmanship, Mr. Speaker, such exceptionally good progress, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not here to answer the Question? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I say that we regret it. I am sorry about it. If the answer to that kind of approach is that kind of response from the benches opposite it will only make life more difficult.
§ Sir Harmar NichollsOn a point of order. Is not it a contempt of the House, Mr. Speaker, for a Minister who has a Question for Answer on the Order Paper not to stay until the end of the Questions Hour?
§ Mr. Speaker"Contempt" of the House is a strong word, especially when it is remembered that no Minister is obliged to answer any Question.
§ Mr. HeathThat may be the case technically, but is not this an extraordinary example—the first that I can remember in my 15 years in the House—and a case of singular incompetence by the Government in that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not here? May I make the practical suggestion that the only Treasury Minister on the Front Bench, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, should answer the Question?
§ Mr. BrownThe right hon. Gentleman is entitled to his bit of fun. We are very sorry about this, but may I remind the right hon. Gentleman that if he likes to look up the precedents he will find that this happened many times in his own Administration?