§ Mr. W. R. PEELasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent statements of prominent Members of the Cabinet, it was the policy of the Government to shorten the period during which the suspensory veto of the Second Chamber operated under the Parliament Act, and to enable the will of the House of Commons to override the views of the Second Chamber within a less period than two years?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. W. PEELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement was made by his colleague, the Foreign Secretary? Does he allow his colleagues to make important statements of this description without his sanction?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know to what statement the hon. Gentleman refers.
§ Mr. PEELHas not the Prime Minister read the report of his right hon. Friend's speech at Plymouth on a revised Second Chamber? Does he not read these speeches?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI read them to the best of my ability. There is nothing in my right hon. Friend's speech which in the least degree bears out the suggestion in the question.
§ Mr. PEELMay I call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the latter part of the speech? May I send it to the right hon. Gentleman?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.