§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneMr. Speaker, I recollect that on one or two occasions in the past you have expressed the view that it is undesirable that late Questions should be tacked on to earlier Questions by Departments.
I notice today that Questions No. 70, 72 and 74, to the Board of Trade, were taken with an earlier Question. I do not raise this as any point of criticism, but I wanted to ask you whether this rule or advice still stands, or whether it has been changed.
§ Mr. SpeakerI might have had today an opportunity of invoking my own Ruling. It is not my practice to insist that an hon. Member who has down a late Question which is answered with an earlier one has the right to put a supplementary question.
I studied the matter carefully this morning, I watched the shape of questioning and it depended upon the shape of the questioning today. I was aware of the point and I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has drawn my attention to it. It would otherwise be possible for a Question that was put down very late, say, Questions Nos. 70 or 75, precluding an hon. Member who had a question at, say, Nos. 30, 35 or 40.
I assure the hon. Gentleman that I watch this point carefully every day.