HC Deb 07 June 1972 vol 838 cc452-3
Sir G. Nabarro

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I seek guidance about Private Notice Questions for the benefit of private Members. While I am not seeking in any circumstances to challenge the absolute prerogative of the Chair to refuse any Private Notice Question, it is the fact that yesterday I endeavoured to give notice to you that I would try to elicit a statement. I wrote to you at 9 o'clock this morning asking for a Private Notice Question on the railway dispute. and I have—

established convention of the House that an hon. Member cannot raise the subject of a Private Notice Question and the refusal of it or disclose its nature. Until I am ordered otherwise by the House acting on a report of the Select Committee on Procedure I must insist upon that rule. Any reference to whether a Private Notice Question is allowed or not is completely out of order. The Clerk will now proceed to read the Orders of the Day—

Sir G. Nabarro

I am not challenging that point at all, Mr. Speaker. If you had allowed me to complete my sentence—

Mr. Speaker

Where the hon. Member broke the rule was in referring to the fact that he had submitted a Private Notice Question and that I had refused it. The hon. Member broke the rule. The Clerk will now proceed to read the Orders of the Day—

Sir G. Nabarro

On a different point of order, Mr. Speaker. If an hon. Member seeks to put a Private Notice Question, would it not be courteous for him to be advised before the House meets at 2.30 p.m. whether or not Mr. Speaker has allowed the Private Notice Question? This has always been the custom of your predecessors, Mr. Speaker, and I ask you for the same courtesy from the Chair today.

Mr. Speaker

That is a different point of order. My office certainly tries to indicate as quickly as possible to the hon. Member who seeks to ask the Private Notice Question whether it will be permitted, and if there was any mistake today I apologise. It is the purpose of my office to let hon. Members know as quickly as possible, but some hon. Members try to find out whether their questions have been allowed or not.