HC Deb 19 June 1967 vol 748 cc1124-5
Mr. Edward M. Taylor

On a point of order. Is it a fact, or not, Mr. Speaker, that you have received a request from the Minister of Transport to answer Question No. 78, in view of the serious news from Stratford this morning?

Mr. Speaker

I have not had any information from the Minister that she would answer that Question.

Mr. Peter Walker

Further to that point of order. My hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor) submitted to your office last Thursday a request for a Private Notice Question—

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is not in order to indicate, in a question to the Chair, the nature of a Private Notice Question which has been refused.

Mr. Walker

rose—

Mr. Speaker

This is a very serious matter. I hope that the hon. Member will note what I say.

Mr. Walker

I apologise, Mr. Speaker, but last Thursday, on the Business Question, my hon. Friend asked the Leader of the House whether the Minister of Transport would issue a statement on the question of the closing of the terminal at Stratford. In reply to my hon. Friend, he said: …I shall communicate the hon. Gentleman's request to my right hon. Friend. If necessary, I am sure that she will accede to it."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th June, 1967; Vol. 748, c. 793.] As, this morning, there is a closure at that terminal, my hon. Friend has his Question No. 78 down on the topic. He presumed, in view of that assurance by the Leader of the House, he would have no need for a Private Notice Question. May I ask the Minister of Transport to reply to the Question?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member can ask the Minister of Transport, but I do not hear any answer.

Mr. Webster

Further to that point of order. What redress has the House, Mr. Speaker? Can you advise the House how we can protect ourselves when we are assured by the Leader of the House that the Minister of Transport will give an answer? How can you help in that?

Mr. Speaker

One of the old political gambits from both sides of the House is to pray the Speaker in aid for something which is by way of being political. I cannot give political advice, only procedural advice.