§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEI desire to submit to you, Mr. Speaker, a question on a matter of Order. At the conclusion of the first days' Debate on foreign affairs there were a considerable number of hon. Members who desired to speak upon matters which were raised by the Foreign Secretary in the course of his speeches, but in order to avoid inconvenience to the House by prolonging the Sitting the offer of the Government to give a further day to the discussion was accepted on the understanding that the Debate on the second day would be as unrestricted as on the first day. I understand, Mr. Speaker, you ruled on the first day that Amendments were interpreted as unduly limiting discussion, and I desire to ask whether that arrangement will hold good on the second day's Debate?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think there are a considerable number of Members anxious to take part in the Debate on the general question, and, in my judgment, it would be undesirable to limit or confine the discussion on a particular Amendment. Of course, if the general discussion was exhausted in a reasonable lime, there would be an opportunity then for hon. Members to move Amendments, but, so far as my knowledge goes, I understand there are still a considerable number of Members on both sides who desire to take part in this discussion.
§ Mr. LOUGHAm I to understand, Mr. Speaker, that there is no intention to limit the general right of hon. Members to move Amendments?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is rather the other way. It is the hon. Member who moves an Amendment that limits the general right of Members. I do not wish to limit the rights of hon. Members either way.
§ Mr. LOUGHIs it not an old privilege of hon. Members to move an Amendment to any Motion that is brought forward?
§ Mr. SPEAKERCertainly, I should look with some fear on any hon. Member who rose if I had reason to suppose that he was going to conclude his speech by moving an Amendment. My eye would probably wander in another direction.
§ Mr. LOUGHIs it not a fact that if due notice were given it is quite in your hands, and if you do not take an hon. Member's Amendment it would not be moved?