Captain FABERasked the Prime Minister if he will state whether, in the event of any measure being rejected by the House of Lords, he proposes to prolong this Session for a month from the time of such Bills being sent up from this House in order that such a rejection shall come within the Parliament Act?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer is in the negative, unless the House of Lords desire such a prolongation.
§ Lord BALCARRESMay I ask will the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister make his statement as to business?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROn Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week we will take the remaining stages of the Finance Bill.
Thursday will be given to a continuation of the Foreign Office Debate, and
On Friday the discussion of the appointment of Magistrates will take place.
During the week we shall also take the various stages of the other Orders upon the Paper, and any other Bills coming from the Lords with Amendments.
I should like to remind the House that the Secretary to the Admiralty has introduced a small Bill entitled the Naval Discipline (Dominion Naval Forces) Bill. This is a measure to give effect to a conclusion of the recent Imperial Conference 1595 with respect to the government and discipline of the naval forces of the self-governing Dominions and their relations to the Royal Navy and to one another.
Since I made my last statement, the Home Secretary informs me that he has found it necessary to introduce a Bill to extend the limit of rating to meet the charge of the Metroplitan Police, consequent upon the adoption of the one day's rest in seven and the increase in the pay of the police.
I have reason to believe that these will not be considered controversial measures, and I trust we may pass them into law before we rise, but, of course, we will place ourselves in communication with the various parties in the House in the usual manner.
§ Lord BALCARRESWould the right hon. Gentleman say if No. 2 Order on today's Paper, Finance [Sinking Fund], will be taken in Committee and Report stages to-day and to-morrow respectively?
§ Mr. LOUGHHas the right hon. Gentleman had an opportunity of considering the appeal that has been made to him for an opportunity to discuss the Brussels Sugar Convention?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere will be time for that on Thursday, in the Foreign Office Debate. In reply to the question of the Noble Lord, I understand that the Committee and Report stages must be taken before we enter upon the consideration of the Finance Bill. Therefore, if the Report stage is not taken to-morrow, it will be taken first thing on Monday.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDHas the Prime Minister further considered the Resolution on the Paper relating to the employment of the police and the military in view of a coroner's inquest, which has been held since the last discussion in this House? Would it be possible to place some time at our disposal so that that matter might be made a little clearer than it was left by our discussion?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not see my way in view of the limited time at our disposal to give more time to this particular matter.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDDoes the right hon. Gentleman contemplate that there may be some waste of time required 1596 while this House is waiting for what happens in another place? In that event, would it be possible to give us that time for this discussion?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid that the time will be occupied by some of the smaller Bills to which I have referred But we will see how things develop.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEHas the Prime Minister received and considered a memorial, widely signed in all quarters of the House, asking that the Employment of Children Act (1903) Amendment Bill might be considered this Session, and is it possible for him to yield to that request?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should be very glad to do so, personally, and so would the Government; but I am sorry to say the measure is regarded as controversial in some quarters of the House.
§ Sir G. TOULMINIs the Prime Minister aware that the opposition to the Bill is confined almost to units, that the Member in whose name the Motion stands on the Paper has not been here for some time, and that certain Members who were opposed to the Bill are now in agreement with the promoters?
§ The PRIME MINISTERKnowing something of the habits and activities of the hon. Member in question, I am certain that he would turn up when the Bill came on.
§ Mr. POLLOCKDoes the Prime Minister intend to take the Second Peace Conference (Conventions) Bill during this Session?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would rather not give a definite answer at this moment.