§ 26. Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSONasked the Prime Minister whether his attention 168 has been drawn to the use of Blocking Motions adopted on Wednesday last by which the proceedings on the Adjournment Motions were reduced to a farce; and whether he is prepared to take any and, if so, what steps to prevent a repetition of such proceedings?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy opinion on this subject is well known and has been frequently and strongly expressed. I will put down again on the Paper the proposal which I have made in previous Sessions in the hope that it may receive something like general concurrence. I observe there is a Motion down in the name of the Noble Lord opposite (Lord Robert Cecil) for to-night. I hope that will be passed unanimously by the House.
§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTDoes that mean that the Prime Minister is inviting the House, if I may so put it, to accept the fact of many previous Motions having been blocked by hon. Members, including an important one on Tariff Reform, and to forego the claim of those who were successful in the ballot for to-day?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to give sufficient time for the discussion of the Motion that stands in my name or put down a Motion in his own name?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would rather put a Motion down in my own name.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWill the right hon. Gentleman put it down and give Government time for it? The right hon. Gentleman will remember that the previous condition proved to be quite ineffective?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will put it down in my own name, and I will undertake to give a reasonable time for discussion.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILThen may I ask what time the right hon. Gentleman will give for it—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh!"]—it is a legitimate question—and when it will be given? Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed the condition of the Notice Paper at the present moment, and is he aware there are Blocking Motions, mainly standing in the names of hon. Members opposite, blocking discussion on every conceivable topic?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid it is a case of reprisal on both sides.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILCertainly!
§ The PRIME MINISTERAnd it is very desirable it should come to an end. I am sure the whole House will agree that the condition of things is scandalous, and no one could be more anxious than I am that that condition of things should be brought to an end. If the Noble Lord will accept my assurance that I will give time for its discussion—such time as may be needed—as soon as may be, I hope he will not move his Motion to-night.
§ Mr. HARCOURTWould it be possible for the Prime Minister to appeal to hon. Members who have Blocking Motions on the Paper for to-night to withdraw those Motions?
§ Mr. MORRELLMay we take it that the conditions imposed by the right hon. Gentleman last year, that he would not proceed unless there is general assent, no longer holds good, and that the Government will make this a Government matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am satisfied that the general opinion of the House is in favour of the proposal I make. I exact no conditions of that kind. With regard to the Private Business on the Paper, it is not for me to make an appeal. The Government have no desire one way or the other, but I think it would be well if the Blocking Motions were withdrawn.