§ Mr. WATTasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the three first Orders to be discussed after the return from the Whitsuntide Recess, namely, the Address to the Crown on the appointment of a High Court Judge, the Appellate Jurisdiction Bill, and the Mental Deficiency Bill, are opposed by Members on the Government side of the House; and whether some other arrangement could be entered upon that would be fairer to all parties?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe arrangement referred to is, I think, generally satisfactory to Members in all quarters of the House, and I am not prepared to make any alteration with regard to it.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMay I ask the Prime Minister what Supply he proposes to take on the Thursday after the Adjournment, and would it also be possible for him, for the convenience of the House, to state now before the Adjournment what steps the Government propose to take in connection with the Home Rule Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand, though it is only a provisional arrangement, that we propose to take the Foreign Office Vote on the Thursday after we reassemble. Of course, circumstances may occur which may not make it expedient. With regard to the other question put by the right hon. Gentleman, I should point out what we propose to do is to take the Second Readings of the three Bills which are going to be presented to-day, the Government of Ireland Bill, the Established Church (Wales) Bill, and the Temperance (Scotland) Bill, in the ordinary course. We do not propose to submit any Resolution to the House on procedure until those Bills have been read a second time. Although what I say now must be taken merely as an indication of what the Government at present have in their minds, and may be liable to further consideration—subject to that reservation it may be convenient to the House that I should state in a general way how we propose, after the Second Readings have been passed, to proceed. Our idea is this: With regard both to the Irish Bill and the Welsh Bill it would be necessary to obtain a Financial Resolution in order that those Clauses in the Bills 2076 which deal with finance may be authorised by Resolution in Committee; and provision will have to be made for discussion in Committee and Report of those Resolutions. As regards the Committee stages of the Bills, it is quite obvious, having regard to the provisions of the Parliament Act—which requires a Bill, to take advantage of that Act, to be identical with that passed in the successive Sessions—that the Committee stage ought to be of a formal character, but we propose that some provision should be made for dealing with that stage. We propose, in pursuance of the provisions of the Parliament Act, that the House should have the opportunity before the Third Reading of any of those Bills, to avail itself of the powers which the Parliament Act gives to make suggestions of Amendments which can, if they are approved by this House, be considered by the House of Lords, although they will not form part of the Bill which passes from this House. I say nothing more as to the length of that stage, or whether we will have it at all, until we know where we are after the Second Readings. As I have said our present intention is to afford the House the opportunity, if the House desires to take the opportunity, of making suggestions before the Third Reading.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWDoes that mean there will be no Committee stage at all?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt does not necessarily mean that, but only a formal stage.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWBut it does mean that our discussion will be a complete farce.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think so. I think it would be a great waste of time to have a Committee stage in the ordinary sense of the term, because any Amendment, of course, would destroy the identity of the Bill. On the other hand we propose to afford the House the opportunity which the Parliament Act expressly reserves to make suggestions to the House of Lords.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWithout continuing that discussion, will the right hon Gentleman tell us on what day the Second Reading of the Home Rule Bill will be taken?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROur present proposal is—again subject to further consideration—to take it on the Monday after the House reassembles.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIECan the right hon. Gentleman state approximately the number of days that will be occupied by the Second Reading of the Home Rule Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Debate will be conducted under the normal conditions, with the ordinary power of Closure. We do not propose to submit any procedure Resolution with regard to the Second Reading.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYWith regard to the Resolutions to be taken to-day, will you, Sir, for the convenience of Members, state whether you will follow the same course as was taken in Committee by the Chairman, namely, that of allowing a general discussion, or will the Debate be limited to the subject of each Resolution? I understand that the rule laid down in Committee was that a general discussion should be taken on the first Resolution, and that the two remaining Resolutions should be put at the end practically without any Debate at all. Therefore, I wish to ask whether it will be in order to have a general discussion on the first Resolution on the same understanding as in the Committee stage?
Mr. SPEAKERI think that would be contrary to the practice generally followed. On the Report stage the discussion must be confined to each separate Resolution. Therefore, on the Income Tax Resolution, Members must confine themselves to Income Tax; on the Tea Resolution, to tea; on the general Resolution, I dare say that some general discussion might take place.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYIn the event of the day being occupied with the first Resolution, will the two remaining Resolutions be put without Amendment or Debate?
Mr. SPEAKERI must wait and see what is the character of the discussion on the first Resolutions. I can hardly conceive that the discussion on the Income Tax Resolution will last the whole day.
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENCan the Prime Minister state when the Second Reading of the Welsh Church Bill will be taken?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot say, as I do not know how long the Second Reading debate on the Home Rule Bill will take.
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENIt will follow immediately after?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.
§ Mr. KINGWill the debate on the Foreign Office Vote include the debate on the Congo recognition, which was promised for an early day?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI imagine that it will be in order.
§ Mr. KINGWill it be taken as implying or carrying with it the acceptance by the House of the principle of recognition?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROn the Foreign Office Vote any subject connected with foreign policy can be raised.
§ Mr. KINGI do not think the Prime Minister realises that we have been promised that the Congo should not be recognised until the House has had an opportunity of deciding whether it approves of that recognition. What I and many other Members want to know is whether that opportunity which has been promised to the House will be afforded on the Foreign Office Vote?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy impression is that the only promise given was that the House should have an opportunity of discussing the subject; but I will look into the matter.