§ Q4. Sir C. Osborneasked the Prime Minister what is his practice on transferring Questions.
§ The Prime MinisterThe traditional practice, Sir.
§ Sir C. OsborneIs the Prime Minister aware that back benchers on both sides of the House would much prefer him to answer Questions—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—than the numerous shadow Prime Ministers who sit with him? Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to give himself more time in which to answer Questions?
§ The Prime MinisterI am touched by those flattering words. I believe that my record on transfers is quite good. In the last year of my predecessor's period, 30 per cent. of 866 Questions were transferred. In my first year of office, of a larger number—1,186 Questions—only 23 per cent. were transferred. In the present Session—ignoring an orgy of 180 Questions, mainly on Departmental matters, tabled during two days last July—of 1,813 Questions since last autumn, 21 per cent. have been transferred, against 1568 the 30 per cent. in 1963–64. While I have answered an average of 4½ Questions per hon. Member in this House since taking office, this Question is the 41st that I have answered to the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne).