§ 51. Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTasked the Prime Minister whether he will give facilities one evening during the present Session, after the conclusion of ordinary Government business if no other opportunity is possible, for a discussion with a view to remedying the inconvenience caused by Blocking Motions?
§ 52. Mr. FREDERICK WHYTEasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has recently been called to the Resolution of this House, passed on the 27th March, 1907, condemning the abuse of the rule against anticipation as an infringement of the rights of its Members; whether his attention has further been called to the Report of the Select Committee on Procedure (Anticipatory Motions), which voices a similar opinion; and whether he is now prepared to take action in order to make effective the opinion then expressed by this House?
53. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the Prime Minister what is the measure of general assent of which he requires to be assured before he will take any action with regard to the abuse of the rule against anticipation by what are known as Blocking Motions; does he require absolute unanimity and, if not, is there any satisfactory means of ascertaining the opinion of the 826 House except by giving facilities for discussion; and whether, in view of the strong desire expressed in all quarters of the House, the Government will now make some attempt to deal with the abuse?
§ 54. Mr. MORRELLasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recommendation, which he himself made to this House in 1907, that the Standing Orders should be so amended as to prevent the abuse of the rule against anticipation, and in view of the very general assent which his recommendation has since obtained, he will now take some practical step to carry it into effect?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe whole matter was considered and reported on by a Committee of which I was Chairman in 1907. The Resolution come to by the Committee was as follows:—
"In determining whether a discussion is out of order on the ground of anticipation, regard shall be held by Mr. Speaker to the probability of the matter anticipated being brought before the House within a reasonable time," and in February, 1908, Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man proposed that a Standing Order to that effect should be adopted, and I stated on his behalf that we could not pursue the matter except by a substantial general agreement.
I will endeavour to give facilities some time this Session for a discussion of the rule against anticipation. If I find that the proposals which were made as a result of the Report of the Select Committee are now likely to command the general assent of the House and to be proceeded with in a reasonable time I shall be happy to put them down again.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIf the Prime Minister cannot remove the abuse generally, can he try and persuade his supporter the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Sherwell) to remove the Motion with regard to National Insurance?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not sure the hon. Gentleman has a very good case. I am personally against the whole thing. I should be very glad to see it removed.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIs it not a case that matters to the uninsured persons, and under these circumstances will the right hon. Gentleman not use his influence with his supporter to remove the Blocking Motion?
§ Mr. CASSELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a great many others in the House besides the hon. Member who desire an opportunity of putting their views in reference to the construction of the Act and other matters?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy right hon. Friend was not allowed an opportunity to put his views.
§ Mr. H. W. FORSTERDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think it desirable that his right hon. Friend should have an opportunity?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do. I am entirely opposed to the whole thing. I should be glad to see it abolished tomorrow, but I cannot do it unless with the general assent of the House.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILCan the Prime Minister define a little more clearly what he means by the "general assent of the House"? Does he mean to say that the refusal of half a dozen Members would interfere with the general assent, and will he give some opportunity after eleven o'clock, if necessary, by which the feeling of the House could really be effectively tested, it being understood that the responsibility for keeping the House would not rest with the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should be happy to do that.
§ Mr. MORRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman give us an opportunity for discussing this matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo. I cannot name a day. If there is any such feeling as appears generally to exist I do not think it ought to be a very difficult matter.
§ Lord BALCARRESDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean this eleven o'clock discussion to be one on general merits or one for changing the Standing Orders?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere comes the difficulty. If we are going to have points of that kind raised we might go on all night. I cannot do it unless there is general assent to come to an agreement.