February 11, 1943 (19th Parliament, 4th Session)

Mr. GORDON GRAYDON (Leader of the Opposition):

Mr. Speaker, we might as well clarify this position once and for all. First of all, this is the first time I have heard the Prime Minister say that he wanted notice of any question he might be asked. That condition may have arisen partly because the facility with which he answers most questions completely disarmed me, and it did not seem to be necessary to send notice. I shall, however, be glad to give him due notice from now on, and that he has not received it previously is only an oversight. If it will help him in his onerous position in trying to make clearer the answers he gives, I am sure that it will be in the interests of the house and country to give such notice.
May I add, however, that as leader of the opposition I do not make any apology for being curious about some of the policies and actions of the government. The Prime Minister himself will understand that there are certain questions which we as members of the opposition demand to be made clear to the house and country. If we have transgressed from time to time, I am sure the Prime Minister will excuse me on the grounds of inexperience and, perhaps, youth. In any event I want to say at once to him and to the house that I am not putting questions for any ulterior design, but rather I am conscientiously trying, so far as it is within my power, to carry out what I believe to be my duty as leader of the opposition in the house.
More than that may I say that I do not think the Prime Minister has been overburdened with questions from any private member or from the leader of the opposition since the beginning of the session. I have been particularly careful on that point in the questions which I have asked. They have always been questions which I thought were in the national interest. So long as there are questions in the national interest, Mr. Speaker, which I as leader of the opposition believe should be put, then I am going to ask your indulgence and the indulgence of the house in directing
328 COMMONS
Procedure in Questions on Orders oj the Day
to the Prime Minister or to any member of the government any question which I think may fall within that category.