HC Deb 21 October 1969 vol 788 cc932-3

The following Questions stood upon the Order Paper:

13. Mr. GOODHEW

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of the import deposits scheme.

14. Mr. HUNT

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now announce the amount of the foreign travel allowance for the 12 months beginning 1st November, 1969.

28. Mr. BLAKER

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will now announce the limit on spending on foreign travel outside the sterling area for the forthcoming tourist year;

(2) if he will now make a statement on the future of the arrangements for import deposits.

40. Mr. DICKENS

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy regarding the future of the import deposits scheme.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Goodhew.

Mr. Goodhew

Question No. 13.

Mr. Diamond

With permission, my right hon. Friend will answer this Question together with Questions Nos. 14, 28, 29 and 40 at the end of Question Time.

Mr. Higgins

On a point of order. Do I understand the Chief Secretary correctly? Does the Chancellor of the Exchequer propose to answer Questions both with regard to the foreign travel allowance and with regard to import deposits at the end of Question Time These are quite separate issues, and I would have thought that many of my hon. Friends might like to raise separate points on them?

Mr. Speaker

Order. When the Minister makes his statement, hon. Members will have an opportunity to ask supplementary questions connected with their own original Questions.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the fact that full details have been given already in the Press, need we have a statement at all?

Mr. Hunt

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. If you will not accept the point of order raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins), may I raise a point? How is it possible to connect the import deposits scheme with the foreign travel allowance? Is it because the Chancellor of the Exchequer is unable to be here at the moment?

Mr. Speaker

Order. A Minister can answer Questions in whatever way he likes. Points of Order in Question Time cost some hon. Member a Question.

Mr. Maudling

But surely the Minister must ask permission to link Questions together. Can this be done by linking them with a statement?

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is a matter of courtesy for a Minister to ask to link Questions, but he may link them, in any case.