§ 47. Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the continued abuse of the rule against anticipation as illustrated by the proceedings on the recent Motion for Adjournment; and whether the Government now propose to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Government consider that this is a matter which should be left to the Committee on Procedure.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government promised to deal with this matter long-before they appointed the Committee on Procedure, and that the appointment of the Committee on Procedure is not a fulfilment of the pledge which they gave the House?
§ Mr. J. M. HOGGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that such a Motion was down on the Paper on Wednesday of last week, calling attention to the abuse of the Procedure; and will the Government give an early date for its discussion?
§ Mr. McKENNAI cannot reply to these questions in the absence of the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEDid the right hon. Gentleman notice the farce of last Wednesday?
§ Sir GODFREY BARINGCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Procedure Bill is likely to be brought forward?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; I cannot say.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Committee on Procedure has already reported with regard to these Blocking Motions, and is it not time to carry out their recommendations?
§ Mr. McKENNAI think my hon. Friend is misinformed.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister himself was Chairman of that Committee?
§ Mr. McKENNAOh, that was of an earlier Committee.