HC Deb 13 February 1968 vol 758 cc1145-6
Sir C. Taylor

On a point of order. We have got through eight of the 23 Questions to the Prime Minister today. Mr. Speaker. This is by no means unusual. We get through only a very small number of Questions to the Prime Minister because of the inordinate length of his replies. I wonder whether it would be appropriate to refer to the Committee of Procedure, Mr. Speaker, whether on the days that the Prime Minister answers Questions, we should have a further extension of 15 minutes for, as it were. injury time?

Mr. Speaker

I understand that the hon. Member has a Question which he has been trying to get asked of the Prime Minister for many weeks. This is a painful experience which is not unknown to other hon. Members.

I cannot, however, accept the suggestion that the reason why we do not get enough Answers to Questions during the Prime Minister's quarter of an hour is entirely the fault of the Prime Minister or that of any other individual. The House must endeavour to put its questions snappily and as far as possible to get answers snappily. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] Order. Hon. Members must not try to apply what Mr. Speaker is saying to the House as a whole to any individual hon. or right hon. Member.