All Stages Passed. (Hansard, 3 August 1914)

§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)
I have to move, "That the Standing Orders be suspended."

§ Mr. SPEAKER
That Motion will not be necessary. I understand that the right hon. Gentleman proposes to ask leave to introduce a Bill. If so, he can do that straight away without moving the suspension of the Standing Orders.

§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGE
Then I ask that leave be given to bring in a Bill to "authorise His Majesty, by proclamation, to suspend temporarily the payment of Bills of Exchange and payments in pursuance of other obligations."
I understand, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, that perhaps it would not be desirable at this stage that I should enter into a full explanation of all the circumstances which had arisen because the House will be anxious to hear the explanation of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary with regard to the position. For the moment I shall simply say that the circumstances are very well known to every Member of the House which have rendered it necessary to ask leave to bring in a Bill of this kind, Before the proclamation is in force an opportunity will be given to the House of Commons to discuss the whole subject, and it will be undoubtedly conducive to the public interest if it is possible to get this Bill through in as short a time as possible. If I obtain the leave of the House to introduce the Bill I shall then move for the suspension of the standing orders in order to get the Bill through and send it up to the House of Lords if possible this afternoon.
Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Montagu. Presented accordingly, read the first time, and printed. [Bill 353.]

§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGE
I beg to move "That the Bill be now read a second time."