§ 50. Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that this is the third consecutive Session in which there has been no opportunity of discussing the Home Office Vote for prisons; and whether, having regard to the advance in the science of criminology, the rapid movement of opinion in regard 529 to punishments and prison methods, and the desirability of Parliamentary control and criticism, he can even yet arrange some opportunity of Debate before the prorogation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am aware that no Debate on the Prisons Vote has taken place since 1910, 'but there have been opportunities in the present Session when discussion could have taken place, had it been generally desired. Another such opportunity will arise on the Appropriation Bill.
§ Sir W. BYLESMay I ask whether "general desire" means the general desire expressed on the other side of the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Home Office Vote has been put down for discussion, and the opportunity for discussing prisons on that Vote has passed.
§ Sir W. BYLESI went to the Chairman at the beginning of the Debate and inquired whether we could speak about prisons, and I was told that it would not be in order to do so.
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt cannot be discussed on the Vote on Account, but it can be discussed on the Appropriation Bill.
§ Sir W. BYLESDoes not the right hon. Gentleman see that this in itself is a condemnation of the present method of selecting the Votes in Supply which are to be discussed, and will he consider the advisability of revising the whole matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWhen I was first in the House the great bulk of the Estimates were not discussed at all. I think they get much fuller discussion now than they ever did. It is a matter for the Procedure Committee now sitting.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members on this side of the House prepare speeches, and that when the appropriate occasion for their delivery offers they are requested by the Whips to defer the speeches until a later occasion, and will he use his influence with the humbler Members of the Government to prevent this practice being continued?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will give my hon. Friend the opportunity of taking my own place if the occasion should arise.