HC Deb 30 January 1967 vol 740 cc49-50
Mr. Ridsdale

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Can you please advise me about how I can raise an urgent question about a constituent of mine who has been imprisoned in the Congo since May. He had his trial annulled in December because his defending barrister was arrested. I have twice asked for a Private Notice Question on this matter, but—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member is completely out of order now. He must not raise under the guise of a point of order a question which he wished to raise as a Private Notice Question but which Mr. Speaker disallowed. I understand that the hon. Gentleman has a Question on this subject on the Order Paper today. The hon. Member is troubled, as many hon. Members are troubled, because the Question was so well down the Order Paper that it could not receive an Oral Answer.

I have had no notice from the Minister that he wished to give an Oral Answer to that Question at the end of Question Time, so the hon. Gentleman must wait for his Written Answer to the Question, or raise the matter with the Minister. I cannot do anything further.

Mr. Ridsdale

On a further point of order. What disturbs me, Mr. Speaker, is that I have to wait two months to get an Oral Answer about what I consider to be an urgent matter.

Mr. Speaker

I share the hon. Gentleman's concern. I went through that experience myself for 20 years. It is the experience of every hon. Member that so many hon. Members are keen to use every facility which Parliament offers to them that the Order Paper is cluttered up with Questions. The Chair cannot, however, solve that problem. The hon. Gentleman must take up the matter with the Minister.

Mr. Bessell

On a point of order. My hon. Friend the Member for Cornwall, North (Mr. Pardoe) based his submission to you, Mr. Speaker—

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is too late now. In any case, I hope that the hon. Gentleman was not about to challenge the refusal by the Chair of a Standing Order No. 9 Motion.

Mr. Bessell

On a further point of order. I had no intention whatever of challenging your Ruling, Mr. Speaker. I was about to ask you for guidance, but I will let the point pass.

Mr. Speaker

If the hon. Gentleman will come and ask for guidance some time, I shall be happy to give it to him.