Sir Rolf Williams: In view of what my hon. Friend has told us, and his reflections upon the conduct of the Government Chief Whip, does not he think that it would be desirable for the Patronage Secretary to be here so that he could answer some of the many criticisms which will be made about him this morning?
Sir Rolf Williams: Sir Rolf Dudley Williams rose—
Sir Rolf Williams: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The hon. and learned Member for Northampton (Mr. Paget) made a great reflection on my right hon. and learned Friends the Members for Warwick and Leamington (Sir J. Hobson) and Epsom (Sir P. Rawlinson). He declared that in a Standing Committee they are deliberately obstructing business. We all know those two distinguished right hon. and learned Gentlemen, and...
Sir Rolf Williams: Does my hon. Friend realise that if the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. Sydney Silverman) brought about the collapse of the Government he would please a tremendous number of people on this side?
Sir Rolf Williams: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The hon. Member for Nelson and Colne accused my hon. Friend of telling lies. Is that word permissible?
Sir Rolf Williams: It is nothing of the sort. This is a Motion of censure on the Patronage Secretary, who "pulled a fast one" on the abolitionists on this side of the House.
Sir Rolf Williams: The hon. Member is doing his best to destroy the respect of this House by the people. On a serious subject, one hon. Member after another on the hon. Member's side of the House is giggling and laughing about a problem which confronts the people and about which they are appalled.
Sir Rolf Williams: Further to that point of order. May I point out, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, that the hon. Member who made that attack upon me is usually never here on a Friday?
Sir Rolf Williams: I can tell my right hon. and learned Friend that there is a Whip on. I have seen it. It is two lines.
Sir Rolf Williams: I have told them.
Sir Rolf Williams: While we accept without question that the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. Sydney Silverman) was not told that he would have time on the Floor of the House for the Committee stage, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he was told that he would not?
Sir Rolf Williams: asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what survey he is making of the natural resources of the South-West.
Sir Rolf Williams: rose—
Sir Rolf Williams: Mr. Speaker, I was only going to say that I agree that we must accept remarks from the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Maxwell) which are foreign to the House, but he made a reflection on the integrity of my right hon. Friend the Member for Harrogate (Mr. Ramsden), and, that, whatever he says, that was the way in which his words were interpreted.
Sir Rolf Williams: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I beg to call your attention to the fact that 40 Members are not present.
Sir Rolf Williams: Would I be in order now, Mr. Speaker, in drawing your attention to the fact that fewer than 40 Members are present?
Sir Rolf Williams: I sympathise with those members of the Government who will have to spend all Wednesday mornings in the House as a result of the right hon. Gentleman's decision, but will he consider suspending the ten o'clock rule on Thursday as there is likely to be a considerable discussion about the Motion? May I suggest that it would be only fair to suspend for two hours?
Sir Rolf Williams: asked the Postmaster-General what action he is proposing to take to improve the postal service between Exeter and London, having regard to the complaints that have been made both to him and the head postmaster in Exeter.
Sir Rolf Williams: I accept the hon. Gentleman's statement, but will he bear in mind that those dealing with export orders are concerned about this complaint and that it is very important that he should do all in his power to ensure that the service is of the highest possible standard?
Sir Rolf Williams: Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind when considering this statement, especially with reference to the question put to him, that this is probably an election year?