Oral Answers to Questions — Railways – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 11 August 1947.
Mr Quintin Hogg
, Oxford
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?
Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore
, Ayr District of Burghs
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?
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
I cannot think that "hostile propagandists" is out of Order. It really explains exactly what the hon. Member means by his Question.
Major Guy Lloyd
, Renfrewshire Eastern
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?
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
I suppose one might just as well say "Opposition propagandists."
Mr Joseph Alpass
, Thornbury
Is not that the sole intention of it—to be hostile—and nothing else?
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
Mr. Driberg.
Mr Tom Driberg
, Maldon
Question No. 21.
Mr George Strauss
, Lambeth North
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.
Viscount Hinchingbrooke
, Dorset Southern
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?
Viscount Turnour
, Horsham
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?
Mr George Strauss
, Lambeth North
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.
Mr Henry Strauss
, Combined English Universities
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?
Mr George Strauss
, Lambeth North
No, I do not accept that at all.
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
Mr. Cooper.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I point out that there are only 31 Questions on the Order Paper.
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
The hon. Member does not know how many Private Notice Questions there may be.
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