§ 56. Mr. BOOTHasked the Home Secretary if, as stated by him a Blenavon, the Government will try to override the 781 decisions of the Grand Committee on the Criminal Law Amendment Bill; and whether the Government will move on the Report stage to restore Clause 1 to its original form, although the Amendment as to police powers of arrest was made at the instigation of the Home Office?
§ Sir JOHN SPEARMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that hon. Members are receiving a large number of appeals from their constituents asking that Clause 1 should be restored to its original form?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, I am fully aware of the fact that the hon. Member opposite refers to. Some Amendments will be proposed on the Report Stage, and I shall support an Amendment, of which notice has been given, to restore Clause 1 to its original form. The amendment of that Clause was agreed to in Grand Committee, with much reluctance, because several Members felt hesitation in giving increased powers to the police; but it appeared, as the Bill progressed in Committee, and from subsequent manifestations of opinion in the country, that the original form of Clause 1 was to be preferred, a view which in my opinion is right.
§ Mr. BOOTHWas not the alteration made on the Motion of the hon. Gentleman the Member for Fareham (Mr. Lee), the author of the Bill; was it not supported by the Government representatives in the room, and was it not carried unanimously?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, the facts as stated are literally accurate, but I do not think that they would convey the proper meaning. As the hon. Member knows, Amendments are often accepted in this House, although not altogether agreed with, in order to facilitate the passage of the Bill, which might otherwise be in jeopardy.
§ Mr. BOOTHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that no private Member at the Committee urged either upon the Government or upon the promoters of the Bill that this Amendment should be made?
§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTAs one who supports the Bill in its original form, is it not rather unfair that the hon. Gentleman the Member for Pontefract (Mr. Booth), seeing that this Amendment was moved by the promoters of the Bill, should alone have had to bear all the blame in the Press?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf the hon. Gentleman the Member for Pontefract has had to bear any blame in the Press, I am sure he will be entirely exonerated from it. As a matter of fact, it would be a longer explanation than I reasonably can give now, but when we come to discuss the subject in the House, I shall be very happy to give it.
§ Mr. MALCOLMWill hon. Members on the Report stage of the Bill be properly apprised on what led the Committee upstairs to alter the Bill; can the right hon. Gentleman give us an official Report of what occurred, so that the House may be in full possession of the facts?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; the proper time to make a statement is when the Bill comes on, and I will certainly then make a statement.
§ Mr. MALCOLMIs it possible to get a copy of the shorthand notes?
§ Mr. RAWLINSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Bill is likely to come on, and will he give an undertaking that it shall not come on after eleven o'clock at night?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am unable to say when the Bill is likely to come on; that is a question that should be addressed to the Prime Minister. I certainly could not give an undertaking that it shall not come on after eleven o'clock.
§ Mr. MILDMAYWill it be before Christmas?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes.
§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESAre we to understand that the Home Office really desire that a private constable should have power to arrest—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is arguing the question.