HC Deb 07 March 1978 vol 945 c1198
Mr. Speaker

Before I call Question No. 1, I have a very brief statement to make. Question No. 1 can lead only to what I call a shot-in-the-dark question. Since Ministers are not able to transfer Questions directly related to their Departments, there is no reason for an hon. Member not placing on the Order Paper the Question that he really wants answered. Of course, the Prime Minister's Questions are different because the Prime Minister is able to transfer Questions.

I do not think that the ancient custom of our House with regard to Questions should be changed except by a conscious decision taken by the House as a whole. In any case, other hon. Members have a right to have notice of the real Question which is being addressed to the Minister.

Hon. Members know that there is no prescriptive right to be called to ask a supplementary question. I must inform the House that, in order to guard our long-established custom, I may well in future exercise the discretion given to me by the House with this type of Question.

The hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) had no notice of this statement, so I shall call him for his supplementary question.

Mr. Skinner

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. On the statement which you have just made, Mr. Speaker—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I shall gladly and willingly answer points of order on this matter at the end of Question Time, if the hon. Gentleman does not mind.

Mr. Adley

Mr. Speaker, I am most grateful to you for your guidance. Perhaps it would help if I advised you, as I intend to advise the House, that I told the Secretary of State as long ago as last Wednesday what would be the subject of my supplementary question to him.

Mr. Speaker

That was a secret. Questions are open.