§ 49. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked if the attention of the Prime Minister has been called to the manner in which the Closure Resolution has operated to curtail discussion on the Government of Ireland Bill with regard to important proposals contained in the Bill and with regard to important alternative proposals which various Members of the House desired to submit to the consideration of the 1873 Committee; whether he is aware that on Tuesday night the time allowed for discussing various Government proposals was 65 minutes, and in that time the Committee had to consider and decide the method of computing the deduction from the Transferred Sum resulting from a reduction in an Imperial tax, the one-tenth limitation in the increase of an Imperial tax, the addition to the Transferred Sum on transfer of any reserved service, the right to vary the payment for ten years in the last case, the question of the Land Purchase Guarantee Fund, and the security of the Transferred Sum, the extension to Ireland of the Development Fund and Road Board, the withdrawal of the revenue from Motor Spirit Duty from the Transferred Sum, the position of the Irish Church Fund, and the question of accounts and audit; and whether, in view of the well-known difference between discussion in Committee and in the House, he can give any assurance that further opportunities will be given, by recommital of the Bill or otherwise, for consideration by the Committee of the proposals of the Government upon which adequate discussion has been proved impossible?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not prepared to give time for further consideration in Committee of the matters referred to by the hon. Member in his question. We shall endeavour so to allocate the time on the Report stage as to secure an opportunity for discussion of any matters of importance for which time was not found in Committee.
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONWill the right hon. Gentleman give us time to discuss the new Amendments put down by the Government after the Home Rule time-table was passed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot give any such undertaking. I will endavour to give the House the fullest possible time for the discussion of important Amendments.
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONIs it not the fact that the Home Rule time-table was passed in regard to the Government's proposals in their original shape?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Amendments were put down rather to meet criticisms which were made.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on several occasions Members were asked to speak in order to keep the discussion going in Committee at all?