§ MR. S. T. EVANS (Glamorganshire, Mid.)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether it is intended by the Government that the House should adjourn in July and meet again in the autumn, or whether some other, and what, alteration is to be made with reference to the time usually fixed for the commencement of the summer recess.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI cannot yet give my hon. friend any information on this subject.
§ MR. S. T. EVANSsaid his reason for putting the Question was that the Whips of the Government had been making inquiries as to whether the House should rise in June or July, in which case hon. Members would need to make different arrangements.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI was not aware that any direction had I been given for an official inquiry. Many Members are very much interested in this matter and hold strong views, but I dare say they will take the ordinary means of propagating their opinions.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDasked the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention had been called to a Resolution on the Paper, for which no date had been fixed, affirming the desirability of the, business of the House being so arranged that the Session should last in no year beyond the end of June, and whether, in view of the widespread feeling on all sides in favour of that change, he would see that some opportunity was given to hon. Members to express their views.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANWe are all aware of the arguments pro 1084 and con on this Question, and, of course, we cannot clip this session short at the end of June without adding something equivalent at another time. I am not prepared to say whether that course would be adopted.
§ MR. R. DUNCAN (Lanarkshire, Govan)asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would take accurate means of ascertaining the desire of each Member.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThat means taking a plebiscite, I suppose. I have always protested against making i the convenience of Members the main consideration in settling the business of the House. The settlement of the business of the House must depend on the public interest.
§ MR. S. T. EVANSgave notice that he would repeat his Question on a distinctly early date.
§ MR. MYERasked whether, if the Prime Minister objected to studying the convenience of Members, he would study their health.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI did not say I do not consider the convenience of hon. Members. What I did suggest was that there were other considerations to be borne in mind.