HC Deb 09 August 1911 vol 29 cc1147-8
Viscount WOLMER

I beg to ask a question, of which I have given private notice, whether it would be in order to move more than one of the Amendments on the Paper to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Motion on the subject of Payment of Members?

Mr. SPEAKER

There are five Amendments on the Paper for to-morrow, all of which propose to leave out from the word "that" to the end of the question, and to insert other words. Only one of those Amendments can be moved. There is another Amendment—the last one—which proposes to add words at the conclusion of the Resolution, and that could be moved.

Viscount WOLMER

Is it in order, Mr. Speaker, to propose a grave constitutional change in such a manner as to render ample discussion absolutely impossible?

Mr. SPEAKER

It is not for me to say whether there will be ample discussion or not. The Resolution will be open for discussion by. the Noble Lord and other hon. Members, and at the same time the alternative will be offered to him to take one of the Amendments.

Mr. CLYNES

Is it not a fact that this subject has been repeatedly discussed in; this House for many years?

Mr. WALTER M'LAREN

It might be for the convenience of the House if the Amendments were called upon in the order in which they appear upon the Paper, my Amendment being the first one.

Mr. SPEAKER

I can only answer that question in the historic words of the Prime Minister.

Mr. LEE

I desire to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will lay upon the Table of the House—or let us have them in some other way before the debate to-morrow or Monday—the Treasury Regulations which will govern the Payment of Members. The right hon. Gentleman will realise that there are no particulars in this Resolution, and it will be almost impossible to carry on discussion without having further details.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I do not think it will be possible to do it in time for tomorrow. I think it has to be done after consultation with Mr. Speaker and the officials of the House. I am afraid it will be quite impossible.

Mr. LEE

Are we to understand that this matter has not been considered and settled before the House is to be asked to pass the Resolution. If the right hon. Gentleman is not able to lay these Regulations on the Table, will he undertake to explain fully to the House in his statement to-morrow what is proposed to be done in this matter?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Certainly. I intend to do that in my opening statement, and if there are any other questions, I shall be pleased to answer them in the course of the discussion.

Mr. J. WARD

One Amendment deals with railway travelling, and I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can give us a report to-morrow as to the number of Members of the Opposition who already have free passes as directors of the railways?

Mr. HARRY LAWSON

Is it intended to terminate the Debate on the Payment of Members to-morrow?