HC Deb 08 December 1969 vol 793 cc35-6
Dame Irene Ward

On a point of order. I wonder whether the Minister who deals with Common Market problems has shed part of his powers, in view of the fact that my Question to him about industrial relations with the Common Market has been transferred to another Minister, and I have not been told of this.

Mr. Speaker

That is a serious point of order. Ministers have a right to transfer questions—

Dame Irene Ward

On a point of order—

Hon. Members

Sit down.

Dame Irene Ward

Sit down yourself.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Lady must control herself. I was about to inform her that she had raised an important point of order and that when a Minister transfers a Question it is usual for him to let the hon. Member know at the earliest opportunity that it is being transferred.

Dame Irene Ward

On a point of order. This is not the issue; I just put that in, Mr. Speaker. The issue is that on a matter affecting Common Market negotiations with which the Minister is concerned he has transferred my Question on that issue to another Minister. I am asking only whether his powers have been altered.

Mr. Speaker

I have already answered that point of order. A Minister is empowered to transfer Questions.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

On a point of order. In view of the refusal of an answer to my supplementary question on Question 40, and as the later Question No. 48 was almost accidentally not put and answered, and in view of the tremendous public interest in this Question and the extraordinary official advice given to our fellow subjects in danger in Tripoli, may I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether you have received any request from the Minister to answer Question No. 48?

Mr. Speaker

I think that the hon. Gentleman knows that I have not received such a request. Had I received one, I would have called the Minister.