HC Deb 24 November 1914 vol 68 cc1084-6

Whereupon Mr. SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 12th November, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."

Sir H. DALZIEL

In order to remove misunderstandings, I should like to know what the order of business is likely to be to-morrow. It would be for the general convenience of the House if the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury would give us some statement now as to what business we may expect to-morrow; and I should also be glad if he could say something about the Adjournment. The original intention was, I believe, that it should be on Thursday, but I see now, what I presume is an official announcement, that it is to be on Friday. With regard to the War Obligations Bill, which is really a far more important Bill than I think the House realised this afternoon, as it extends to millions of pounds, and establishes an absolutely new precedent, I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can hold out any hope that we can discuss that Bill and have a useful debate upon it? We can only have it now on the Committee and Third Reading.

Mr. BOOTH

I would like to support the appeal of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Kirkcaldy, especially in reference to the War Obligations Bill. When the Bill was moved this afternoon there was no explanatory speech. I suggest that the House gave way with a great deal of reluctance, because it seemed as if we were trying to delay the discussion on the Finance Bill. But it was a matter of disappointment to all Parliamentarians that the House should be asked to give a Second Reading to a Bill of such vast importance without discussion. In view of that I suggest that it should be properly dealt with in its subsequent stages, and I hope that the House will be taken into the confidence of the Government.

Mr. ILLINGWORTH (Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)

I would suggest that the business for to-morrow is:—

First Order: Committee stage of the Government War Obligations Bill.

Second Order: Trading with the Enemy (Amendment) Bill (Committee stage continued).

Third Order: Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Bill—Third Reading.

Fourth Order: Finance Bill—Report.

Mr. D. MASON

What will be the business on Friday? Shall we adjourn on that day?

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

I can only say that we hope to be able to conclude our business on Friday, or at any rate this week.

Sir WILLIAM BYLES

The hon. Member has not mentioned the case of the Defence of the Realm Bill, which, I believe, a great many Members desire to debate further. May I suggest that we should give some further time to it? It is a long time still to Christmas and we are in no particular hurry. Members are quite willing to stay here to do whatever business is necessary.

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

It by no means follows that it is our intention to exclude any of the other Orders on the Paper, but I thought that the four Orders that I have mentioned would give the House something to think about to-morrow.

Question put, and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at Nine minutes after Eleven o'clock.