HC Deb 11 June 1907 vol 175 c1248
MR. MACKARNESS

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in the event of its being not possible to introduce the Housing of the Working Classes Bill this session, he can give an assurance that the Government will introduce and proceed with the Bill at the earliest possible moment in next session.

The following Questions on the same subject also appeared on the Paper: —

SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)

To ask the Prime Minister whether he proposes to introduce the Housing of the Working Classes Bill this session; and, if so, whether he can approximately name the date of introduction.

SIR J. DICKSON POYNDER (Wilt shire, Chippenham)

To ask the Prime Minister whether he proposes to introduce a Housing Bill this session; and, if so, whether he can name the date it is to be introduced.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Perhaps I may answer the Questions of my right hon. friend the Member for the Ilkeston Division and my hon. friend the Member for the Chippenham Division at the same time. In my statement on public business last week I said that my hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board had a Bill in readiness which could be introduced if it were thought to be beneficial to the cause of housing reform that it should be introduced this session. My present impression is that it would be hardly worth while to devote any time to the mere introduction of this Bill unless there was a strong and general desire that that should be done.

MR. MACKARNESS

asked for an Answer to his Question in reference to next session.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Oh ! "sufficient unto the session."