HC Deb 03 July 1911 vol 27 cc796-7
Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked whether, in view of the defeats the Government have suffered in the House of Lords on the Veto Bill, he will now withdraw the Bill and recommend the creation of Peers in order that the will of the people may prevail?

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask him a question, of which I have given him private notice—Whether he is aware that the suggestion in question that the Parliament Bill should be withdrawn, entailing the consequent prorogation of Parliament and the reintroduction of the Bill, is contrary to the precedent of 1832, when on the defeat of Earl Grey's Government in the House of Lords on the Reform Bill, that Bill was not withdrawn, but its further consideration suspended until an intimation was made to the House of Lords that the passing of the Bill was inevitable and that it lay with their Lordships to elect whether the Bill should be passed with or without the creation of a sufficient number of Peers to overcome the opposition?

The PRIME MINISTER

So far as my memory of history goes, my hon. and learned friend is as correct in his statement as he is usually. With regard to the question on the Paper, the Government do not intend to withdraw the Bill.