Questions to Ministers.
Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Information.

Mr John Tinker (Leigh)

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Oral Questions on the Order Paper have, for some considerable time, exceeded 100 a day, and that the average reached to be answered is less than 80; and will he, therefore, consider proposing such amendment of the Standing Orders of this House as would extend Question Time from 3.45 to 4 o'clock?

Mr Neville Chamberlain (Birmingham, Edgbaston)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Bartlett) on 18th October last, and to the statement which I made in the course of business on Thursday last.

Mr John Tinker (Leigh)

Is the Prime Minister aware that the war has created many new problems, and that Members are anxious to get information on them by way of question? I think he would be well advised to grant the extra time.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. Lambert Ward:

Would it not, to some extent, meet the case if the number of questions allowed to each Member daily were reduced to two?

Mr Frederick Cocks (Broxtowe)

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if this plan is adopted the three-quarters of an hour that we normally have on Mondays would be spread over the three days a week on which the House now sits?

Lieut-Colonel Sir Gilbert Acland-Troyte (Tiverton)

Would not the grant of this extra time be simply wasting Ministers' time for nothing?