§ Mr. WATTI wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman a question of which I have given him private notice. Whether he is aware that the Scottish Committee are not having any sitting this week, and that this fact renders it impossible to pass into law this Session the House Letting (Scotland) Bill, which was on the Paper to follow the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill at present before the Committee; and 694 whether any arrangements could be made whereby two sittings of the Committee could be held this week to deal with one or other of the measures.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that the Scottish Committee itself resolved that the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill should be considered before the House Letting (Scotland) Bill, and that they also agreed for the general convenience of Members that there should be no sitting this week. I have no power in the matter, and my hon. Friend should have expressed his views to the Committee.
§ Mr. PIRIEIs it not the case that the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill will take such a short time in Committee that there will be ample opportunity for the House Letting (Scotland) Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope that is so.
§ Mr. WATTIs it not the case that the House Letting (Scotland) Bill had preference owing to the fact that it is a Government measure, and that the Land Bill is not a Government measure?
The PRIME MINISTERSI told the hon. Member that the Committee itself resolved to take the Land Bill before the other Bill.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIs it not the case that the Committee only adjourned in respect of the Land Bill, and does the right hon. Gentleman not recognise the principle of the right to work applied to Scottish Members who are at present unemployed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can add nothing to my previous replies.