Oral Answers to Questions — Coal Trade Dispute. – in the House of Commons am ar 6 Rhagfyr 1926.
Sir Clement Brocklebank
, Nottingham East
asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the setting up of a Coal Council with powers and functions analogous to those already granted to the Food Council?
Mr Stanley Baldwin
, Bewdley
I do not think that such action as my hon. Friend suggests is called for.
Mr Wilfred Paling
, Doncaster
May I ask whether it is a fact that the right hon. Gentleman is not so much interested in reducing the price of coal as he was in increasing the miners' hours?
Mr Wilfred Paling
, Doncaster
He will get a lot of that before it is finished.
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
That is not a matter to be dealt with at Question Time.
Mr Walter Baker
, Bristol East
asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of trades in which his Department is aware that a control over prices is exercised; and the date on which the summary of the available information is likely to he published by the Committee on Industry and Trade?
Sir Robert Chadwick
, Wallasey
I understand that the Committee hope that the Volume, which will include this summary, may be published early next year. I do not propose to give any particulars in advance.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
