HC Deb 29 June 1972 vol 839 cc1695-6
Mr. Strauss

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wish to raise a matter arising from an answer given by the Prime Minister in the course of one of his replies. He said that he intended to put all his public speeches in future in the Library. I submit that according to the rules which govern Questions that ministerial declaration will bar any Member from asking the Prime Minister in future if he will put a public speech of his in the Library. We all know that this is the device and the only device available to us, by which we can question the Prime Minister about statements he has made outside the House. It would be very serious if our traditional and valuable custom of questioning the Prime Minister on policy matters which he has taken outside the House were to disappear as a result of this off-the-cuff answer by the Prime Minister during Questions.

It is probable, in view of that statement, that such Questions about putting his speeches in the Library will be banned, and I hope that you will look into this matter very carefully, Mr. Speaker, and maybe report to the House tomorrow or at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. Speaker

Those who advise me on these matters were able, I believe, with their customary ingenuity, diligence and imagination to anticipate what the right hon. Gentleman's point of order might be and to furnish me with a ruling. The words used by the Prime Minister will be carefully studied in Hansard, as are all ministerial answers, to see whether they constitute a refusal to answer further questions. If any doubt as to particular Questions then arises and the matter is referred to me I shall give a considered ruling in the usual way.

Mr. McNamara

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. A few weeks ago I sought to raise a Question asking whether the Prime Minister would appoint a Minister responsible for gazumping. I was told by the Table Office, and I had no reason to contradict what it said, that the Prime Minister had said he would inform the House in future when he intended to make any further ministerial changes. In a similar manner to that to which my right hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Strauss) has referred, we were prevented from asking the Prime Minister Questions on matters of importance happening from day to day. I should be grateful if you will consider that matter, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

I shall certainly consider that matter.

Mr. Kaufman

Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. Can you make a statement on this next week so that we do not have individual discussions with the Table Office which are inevitably frustrating? In that statement will you take account of this question that even if what the Prime Minister said today, which I do not believe was off-the-cuff, blocks Questions asking him if he will put speeches in the Library, which I do not think will be the case, it will not rule out Questions asking him on what date he put them in the Library?

Mr. Speaker

I will also consider that interesting possibility.