HC Deb 02 November 1966 vol 735 cc458-9
42. Mr. Rankin

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will move to amend Standing Orders to provide for Oral Questions on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Mr. Crossman

No, Sir.

Mr. Rankin

Will my right hon. Friend think again? Has he any objection to the hours suggested for Friday? If he has not, will he consider the fact that there are 100 Questions for Oral Answer on the Order Paper today and that this is a common situation? There is a great desire for knowledge that is not being satisfied in the House. What is my right hon. Friend going to do about it? Why waste Fridays?

Mr. Crossman

I suggest that the first thing to do is to look at the recommendations of the Select Committee. It has recommended an extra 15 minutes on all days when the House is sitting. It is better to look at that first before looking at my hon. Friend's proposal.