– in the House of Commons am ar 18 Ionawr 1924.
On a point of Order. Is there any definite ruling as to the obligation of Ministers to be here on Fridays to answer questions? I put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that questions are permitted by you to appear on the Paper, that Friday is a Parliamentary day, and that it is only for the convenience of the House that we meet at 11 o'clock. I think it would be more courteous if Ministers would try and be here, especially as this is the last Friday, I understand; and I think it has been ruled that on the last Friday before a considerable adjournment questions are answered. One Minister has been good enough to come here. We all appreciate it, and if one can be here, I think the others could be here.
Show a good example to us when we come into power.
It is a long-established custom of the House that we do not deal, as a rule, with oral questions on a Friday, as Ministers are expected to be busy in their offices. The hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) suggests that this is the last Friday, but I do not think the world is coming to an end to-day.
On a point of Order. If questions are not supposed to be answered on Friday, why are they put down on the Order Paper for the day?
There is no rule to prevent them being put down. That is the reason. But it is a custom of the House of very long standing not to expect oral answers on a Friday.