HC Deb 03 April 1913 vol 51 cc537-8
50. Mr. LOUGH

asked the Prime Minister whether there is any precedent for throwing out either the Consolidated Fund Bill or the Appropriation Bill as a method of attacking the Government; and if he can see his way to announce his determination to return to the former Parliamentary practice with regard to Divisions in the House that may either affect the position of the Government or involve serious financial embarrassment to the country, so that no Division will be allowed to effect these purposes, which is sprung upon the House suddenly at an unexpected time and without due notice to the Members of all parties?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am not aware of any such precedent as my right hon. Friend mentions. In reply to the second part of the question, I am not sure that the practice to which he refers was ever part of the established usage of the House, and, in any case, I do not see my way to establish it now.

Mr. LOUGH

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the public may reason- ably require some protection against the great inconvenience to which the country might be exposed by a Bill of this kind being defeated without notice, seeing that the matter has always been treated as purely formal?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am quite alive to that inconvenience.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Has the right hon. Gentleman not ignored what was laid down by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the City of London on 25th July, 1895, and by the right hon. Gentleman himself in 13th November last year?

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

May I ask whether what are called unexpected Divisions are not a recognised method of changing the Government of this country?

The PRIME MINISTER

It is often resorted to, but not very often with success.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

It soon will be.

Mr. KING

Does the Prime Minister adhere to the promise given at Ladybank on 5th October last, when he said:— I am not going to give up the task to which we are bound by every obligation of conviction and of honour because of two or three snap Divisions in the House of Commons?

The PRIME MINISTER

No, Sir, I have not given it up.