Oral Answers to Questions — Government Departments, Staffs (Review)

– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 16 Mehefin 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Sir Norman Hulbert Sir Norman Hulbert , Stockport 12:00, 16 Mehefin 1947

asked the Prime Minister, if he is now in a position to make a statement on the result of the Government's review of the number of persons employed in Government Departments.

Photo of Mr Clement Attlee Mr Clement Attlee , Stepney Limehouse

I hope to make a statement very shortly.

Photo of Sir Norman Hulbert Sir Norman Hulbert , Stockport

Does the Prime Minister realise that there is public disquiet on this matter, and can he give any indication when this statement will be made, and what he means by "very shortly"?

Photo of Mr Clement Attlee Mr Clement Attlee , Stepney Limehouse

In the course of a few days.

Photo of Mr Douglas Clifton Brown Mr Douglas Clifton Brown , Hexham

The hon. Member must not expect to ask a supplementary on every question.

Photo of Mr Anthony Eden Mr Anthony Eden , Warwick and Leamington

On a point of Order. Is it out of Order for a hon. Member to rise to ask a supplementary question?

Photo of Mr Douglas Clifton Brown Mr Douglas Clifton Brown , Hexham

It is not out of Order for an hon. Member to rise, but it is not necessary that I should call him.

Photo of Sir Waldron Smithers Sir Waldron Smithers , Orpington

On a point of Order. May I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the fact that, to the best of my memory, I have only asked two supplementary questions this morning, and I wanted to ask the Prime Minister a supplementary on Question No. 45.

Photo of Mr Evelyn Walkden Mr Evelyn Walkden , Doncaster

Both of them were crazy, anyway.

Photo of Sir Waldron Smithers Sir Waldron Smithers , Orpington

May I also ask if it is in Order for an hon. Member to say that "Both of them were crazy, anyway"?

Photo of Lord John Hope Lord John Hope , Midlothian and Peeblesshire Northern

When you, Mr. Speaker, say that an hon. Member is not expected to ask a supplementary on every question, is it not the case that you exercise your judgment in calling the next question with reference to the time already expended on the last question? Surely, the fact that one hon. Member has asked a supplementary does not preclude him from asking one later on?

Photo of Mr Douglas Clifton Brown Mr Douglas Clifton Brown , Hexham

I think that the House will readily agree that the hon. Member to whom I referred did not wait to be called. He was asking a question as he got up.

Photo of Sir Norman Hulbert Sir Norman Hulbert , Stockport

On a point of Order. The hon. Member said that my Question was "crazy, anyway." [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker? Is that not a reflection on the Chair?

Photo of Mr Douglas Clifton Brown Mr Douglas Clifton Brown , Hexham

I was not aware that the hon. Member's Question was put down as crazy. I understood that someone made that remark about a supplementary question, or a hypothetical supplementary: but, in any case, I did not hear it.