HC Deb 02 August 1912 vol 41 cc2529-32

All sums granted by this Act and the other Act mentioned in Schedule (A) annexed to this Act out of the said Consolidated Fund towards making good the Supply granted to His Majesty, amounting, as appears by the said Schedule, in the aggregate, to the sum of one hundred and fifty-two million one hundred and sixty thousand five hundred and sixty pounds, are appropriated, and shall be deemed to have been appropriated as from the date of the passing of the Acts mentioned in the said Schedule (A), for the services and purposes expressed in Schedule (B) annexed hereto.

The abstract of Schedules and Schedules annexed hereto, with the notes (if any) to such Schedules, shall be deemed to be part of this Act in the same manner as if they had been contained in the body thereof.

In addition to the sums hereby granted out of the Consolidated Fund, there may be applied out of any money directed under Section 2 of the Public Accounts and Charges Act, 1891, to be applied as appropriations in aid of the Grants for the services and purposes specified in Schedule (B) annexed hereto, the sums respectively set forth in the last column of the said Schedule.

Mr. FELL

The sum of £152,160,560 includes the sum for the payment of Members of this House. I had proposed to move a reduction of the sum by £362,000. Shall I be in order in doing so?

Mr. JOHN WARD

Will it be possible? for me to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who are the nine Members of the House who have declined—

The CHAIRMAN

The hon. Member must do that, if he wants to, at Question Time.

Mr. FELL

I did not hear the reason why I could not move my Amendment.

The CHAIRMAN

If the hon. Member had been in the House earlier, he would have heard it.

Sir WILLIAM BYLES

I understood that we had a promise from the Government that we should be allowed to discuss this year and every year—

The CHAIRMAN

That is not a matter which can be discussed on this Bill. The hon. Member must take the proper opportunity for that.

Sir W. P. BYLES

Is it possible to avoid a discussion by slipping this into the Bill?

The CHAIRMAN

I could not allow an answer to that question, and obviously, therefore, I cannot allow the question.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

May I ask why no Vote in Supply has been made the foundation for this present amount? My recollection is that there was not a Vote in Supply for Members' salaries.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

There was.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

This year?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Certainly.

Mr. FELL

I asked the Prime Minister when we could discuss this question, and he replied, "On the Appropriation Bill." I quite agree it should properly have come when it was moved in Supply, and I was prepared then to do so, but it was closured.

The CHAIRMAN

It may be raised on the Third Reading.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

Would it make a difference in your ruling if you were made aware that the Government had promised facilities for discussion on this topic, and that it was guillotined?

The CHAIRMAN

It is a matter of policy.

Mr. FELL

Will the only opportunity be on the Third Reading?

The CHAIRMAN

Yes. On that stage any matter which comes up in Supply is open for discussion.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

If we cannot discuss it now I presume we shall be perfectly in order to vote against the Clause or against Schedule B in order to emphasise our disapproval of the course the Government has taken?

The CHAIRMAN

Hon. Members are certainly at liberty to vote against the Clause or the Schedule.

Clauses 4, 5, 6 and 7, and Schedule A agreed to.

Question put, "That Schedule B stand part of the Bill."

Viscount HELMSLEY (seated and covered)

Are you going to put Schedule (B), Part I. and Part II. separately?

The CHAIRMAN

No.

Viscount HELMSLEY

May I point out that they are quite separate questions?

The CHAIRMAN

I cannot put the two parts of the Schedule separately.

Bill reported, without Amendment; to be read the third time upon Monday next (5th August).

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