HC Deb 13 November 1934 vol 293 cc1768-71
Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

Is the Prime Minister aware that the 11 o'clock rule has been suspended every night since the House resumed and that last night the House was forced to sit till nearly 6 o'clock?

HON. MEMBERS

Why?

Sir W. DAVISON

Because the Government are introducing unpopular Measures. Does the Prime Minister think it is consonant with his statement that he does not wish to have a dictatorship in this country, and will he say how far he proposes to go to-night?

Mr. THORNE

Is it not a fact that Members on the Government side of the House were the cause of our sitting late last night?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am very sorry, but we must get this Bill through. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] Because the Government have decided, and that is the reason Why all Bills have to be got through. I am very sorry, but it must be done.

Mr. CHURCHILL

The Prime Minister did not deal with the point raised by my hon. Friend, who asked what were the intentions of the Government as to the hour to which they would compel the House to sit to-night? May I draw attention to the fact that Part II of the Bill was not taken till after dinner time, was not taken except in the dark hours and the very late dark hours, and that, as far as we can see, unless some arrangement be entered into, the whole of the Third Reading will take place at a time when the country will be entirely deprived of any enlightenment on the broad issues? Would the Prime Minister say whether he has any suggestions which might mitigate those consequences or avoid them, and also how far he wishes to press the House to continue sitting to-night?

The PRIME MINISTER

A similar question was put to me yesterday, and I really am not in a position to name an hour beyond which the Government cannot go. The Government desire to get business through on account of the limitation put upon the sittings of this Session. When the right hon. Gentleman suggested an arrangement, I do not know whether he had anything of that kind in mind, but I can assure him that the Government will be only too glad to accommodate those who have views and very strong views on some parts of the Bill, provided that we get the Bill to-night before the sitting adjourns. The right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that we desire to bring the Session to a close at this time, and, if he would be so good as to come to our assistance, the Government would be only too glad through the usual channels to come to an arrangement which would enable him to say what he wishes to say and would also enable us to get the Bill which we want to get.

Mr. CHURCHILL

I take it, then, from my right hon. Friend that the view of the Government is that the discussion should be as full as the House desires, having regard to the limitation on time?

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes.

Sir P. HARRIS

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill) is leading an opposition party against the Government and is no longer supporting the Government?

Mr. LAWSON

May I say, Sir, that we on this side feel very much embarrassed by being present at this party meeting?

Mr. BUCHANAN

The Prime Minister has not answered the question as to how long we are to sit to-night. Am I to understand that he intends to pass the Bill through all the remaining stages to-night no matter to what the House has to sit? Is that the position? We are to sit on and the Government must get the Third Reading.

The PRIME MINISTER indicated assent.

Mr. LANSBURY

As the right hon. Gentleman is aware and as the House is aware, a large number of Members want a, discussion on another matter which is of vital interest to the people of the country. I hope very much that he will get this Bill out of the way at this Sitting and stick to the arrangement by which we are to have a discussion tomorrow on the other matter which is at least of equal importance.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In order to allow the issues referred to by the Leader of the Opposition, which I agree are of far more importance than this Bill, to receive proper discussion, may I ask the Prime Minister to withdraw this Bill arid proceed to-day with the discussion of the other matters referred to?

The PRIME MINISTER

It has been made perfectly clear in the House fr6m the beginning of this part of the Session that to-morrow would be set apart for a discussion on the specially distressed areas. We have also promised that, if any time is left over on Thursday from the essential work of the House, that remaining time will be devoted to the same subject. We propose rigidly to carry out that agreement, but we believe we can do so and also get the Bill.

Mr. BUCHANAN

But is it not a shocking arrangement that we "may" get some opportunity for discussion of the depressed areas on the Thursday? Would it not be better, instead of devoting today to totalisators and greyhounds, to make sure that we would have the discussion of the distressed areas by allocating to-day to that purpose?

Sir W. DAVISON

May I ask whether the Prime Minister or the Lord President of the Council will be present during the discussions to-night?

Motion made, and Question, That the Proceedings on Government Business be exempted, at this day's Sitting, from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House), put, and agreed to.—[The Prime Minister.]