Questions to Ministers.

– in the House of Commons am ar 29 Mai 1924.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Walter Ayles Mr Walter Ayles , Bristol North

I desire to ask your ruling, Mr. Speaker, on a matter of Order and procedure which appears to me to be of very great importance to the Members of this House. I received a letter from a very responsible body in the city of Bristol stating that a very serious state of affairs had arisen with regard to the enormous number of people affected by threatened eviction orders. I wrote to you, asking to be allowed to put a private notice question to one of the Ministers. You replied to the effect that, in your opinion—and I accept entirely your ruling with regard to that—it was impossible for me to put a private notice question, but that I could put a question in the ordinary way. I took that advice, and put a question in the ordinary way, whereupon I was told by you, through your assistants, that such a question could not be put in this House, because the Evictions Bill, which would very largely allay the evil that is causing this grave unrest in Bristol, had left this House, and is now in another place. I want to ask you as to what method Members of this House can adopt in order to interrogate Ministers belonging to a Government that has adopted a Bill that has been passed through all its stages in this House, and is now in another place?

Photo of Mr John Whitley Mr John Whitley , Halifax

With regard to the hon. Member's first question, I understand he accepts my decision, and, therefore, I need say nothing about that. With regard to his second point, I am not aware of the form in which he submitted his question to the Table. I will make inquiries. and see if any alteration can be made in it. But, broadly speaking, it is not in order to ask a question here referring to the proceedings in another place. It may be possible for it to be done in some other way, and if the hon. Member will consult me, I will see if that can be arranged.