HC Deb 21 October 1912 vol 42 cc1879-80

Order for consideration of Lords Amendments read.

Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Lords Amendments be now considered." —[Mr. Gulland.]

Mr. BOOTH

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, I should like to draw your attention to the fact that this is not "starred" as a Government measure, but is introduced into the list of Government measures; and to ask whether, in view of the Resolution the House has passed, it is in order to take it in this form unless the Government accept it as their Bill and put an asterisk against it on the Order Paper.

Mr. SPEAKER

It is always open to the Government to adopt a private Member's measure, at all events to give it precedence, and to put it in before Government measures. There is no objection to its appearing without an asterisk.

Mr. BOOTH

It is not that I object to this Bill at all.

Sir F. BANBURY

May I ask you, Sir, whether the Resolution which was passed last Monday does not say that Government business should have precedence; whether it is a fact that a Bill without an asterisk is not Government business; and although it is competent for the Government to put a private Member's Bill in such a position that it may be taken, does it not, unless an asterisk is put before it, remain a private Member's Bill? So long as it is a private Member's Bill, it being twenty-five minutes to twelve, can it be taken under the Resolution which was passed last Monday?

Mr. SPEAKER

It is not a Government Bill for that purpose. That is quite true. I did not follow, at the moment, the point the hon. Member for Pontefract (Mr. Booth) had taken. He is objecting to the Bill being taken after eleven o'clock.

Mr. BOOTH

I asked whether it was in order in view of the Resolution we had already passed in regard to Government business taking precedence. I rather wish to protect the House against a large number of private Bills on the Paper being sandwiched in by the Government amongst their own measures without an asterisk.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must apply to the Government for that. It is for him to resist inclusion of private Member's Bills. If they do include private Member's Bills in advance of some of their own Bills there is no reason why they should be taken unless hon. Members assent to their being taken. If the hon. Member objects to this Bill being taken on the ground that it is past eleven o'clock his objection will be valid.

Question proposed, "That the Lords Amendments be now considered."

Objection being taken, consideration of Lords Amendments deferred until tomorrow (Tuesday).