§ 48 Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister (1) whether the Committee to be set up to draft a Women Suffrage Bill will be nominated by the Committee of Selection or by the House; (2) whether the Committee of this House to be set up to draft a Women Suffrage Bill will be appointed this Session; and (3) whether the Women Suffrage Committee which it is proposed to form will be presided over by the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Leader of the Opposition; and whether it is intended that during the proceedings next Session on the Women Suffrage Bill the House should be temporarily led by the Chairman of this Committee?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George) (for the Prime Minister)The question of the formation and appointment of such a Committee, as that to which my hon. Friend refers, rests entirely with the supporters of the movement for Women Suffrage, and is not a matter for the Government. I am not in a position to give my hon. Friend the information he desires on the other points raised in the question.
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say how this Committee will communicate officially with the Government in respect of the allocation of the time of the House and other matters?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThere is no Committee at the present moment; therefore I could not answer that. I am not certain that I shall be able to answer it when the Committee is appointed.
§ Sir J. D. REESWill the resulting Bill have preference over all others, irrespective of the ballot and of the claims of other Bills?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI could not reply to that.