The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. DRIBERG:

To ask the Minister of Transport if he will take steps, by means of advertising, broadcasts, or otherwise, to inform the public of the reasons for the increases in fares and so to forestall attempts by hostile propagandists to misrepresent them as a consequence of nationalisation.

On a point of Order. Before this Question is asked I wish to put this to you, Mr. Speaker: I had always understood that the use of epithets in Questions on the Order Paper was out of Order. This Question contains the epithet "hostile propagandists." Surely, that is out of Order, according to that rule?

If such a provocative adjective is used, which I always understood was against your ruling, Mr. Speaker, should not the word "truthful" have been used instead of hostile?

I cannot think that "hostile propagandists" is out of Order. It really explains exactly what the hon. Member means by his Question.

Surely, the word "hostile" does, in fact, imply an insinuation or, indeed a misrepresentation. If it was either an insinuation or a misrepresentation, would it be in Order?

I suppose one might just as well say "opposition propagandists."

Is not that the sole intention of it—to be hostile—and nothing else?

Mr. Driberg.

Question No. 21.

I think that the statement my right hon. Friend made on 5th August in announcing the increase in railway charges sufficiently indicated the true causes of the need for such an increase and it received wide publicity. I will, however, bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

While disclaiming any intention of being a hostile propagandist, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that as regards reduction in prices there is no difference in principle between a free railway system and a free vegetable market?

Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that public money will not be spent in putting forward the views of the fatuous propagandists on the Government benches? May I have an answer to that question?

Public money will only be spent in putting forward the facts when the public desire to have the facts and it is desirable that they should have them.

Is it not quite clear that this increase is due to the Government's policy of inflation, whether or not that policy is consciously adopted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

No, I do not accept that at all.

Several Hon. Members:

rose——

Mr. Cooper.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I point out that there are only 31 Questions on the Order Paper.

The hon. Member does not know how many Private Notice Questions there may be.