§ 45. Mr. HUNTasked the Prime Minister whether in view of the fact that the Secretary of State for War promised an extra whole day for a general Debate on the Army, he can say when the extra whole day will be given?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)There will be one more allotted day for general discussion on Army matters on the Vote for the Secretary of State's salary. I cannot say on what date, but no doubt this will be arranged through the usual channels.
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir; I understand that there will be one more allotted day.
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HUNTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for War on behalf of the Government, distinctly promised an extra day?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. I am not aware of that.
§ Mr. LEEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, as the arrangement was made with me across the Table, whether he has seen the Report in the OFFICIAL REPORT, in which the Secretary for War distinctly promised, on behalf of the Government, that an extra whole day should be given? He added: "Whatever we do, we must be quite clear about what we are doing. I am undertaking that there shall be another day."
§ Colonel SEELYAnother day I think it will be within the recollection of the House what took place. After I had used the words "Another day," the question arose whether that meant an extra day or another day. I used both phrases. I got up and said that, of course, I could not promise an extra day. No Secretary of State could do that. I explained that what I meant was that there should be some other day. I do not think the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Lee) stayed till afterwards. What I meant was that there should be another day.
§ Mr. LEEHas the right hon. Gentleman read the OFFICIAL REPORT, in which it is stated on behalf of the Government that he would definitely undertake that an extra whole day should be given, it was only on that understanding that he got his Vote.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Illingworth)I am afraid there is some misunderstanding. 192 The Noble Lord and myself agreed that there should be another day—an allotted day, and not an extra day—according to the arrangements made previously for concluding the Debate.
§ Lord EDMUND TALBOTI quite accept what has fallen from the hon. Gentleman. We were not entitled to ask for an extra day; but on the understanding that the Vote was got that night the Secretary for War did promise another day.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe question has been answered.