§ Earl Wintertonasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider, as a matter of grave urgency, the control or curtailment of Oral Questions, in view of the other calls upon the attention of Ministers, especially those in the War Cabinet and Defence Departments?
§ The Prime MinisterI am obliged to my Noble Friend for his suggestion. The rights of Parliament must not be in any way impaired; nevertheless it would undoubtedly ease the burden of Ministers and Departments, especially at this time, if hon. Members would consider limiting their Questions to those which are of real public importance. The present limitation in the number of Oral Questions which an hon. Member can put on any one day was proposed by the Speaker in 1920. It would be for the House to decide if any change is to be made in the present practice.