§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked the Prime Minister if he will endeavour so to arrange the business of the House that when novel and far-reaching legislative proposals are made by the Government Members may have the opportunity of reading and digesting them before being called upon to pass them into law; and is he aware that last Thursday night week an important Government Bill, affecting the financial interests of thousands of His Majesty's subjects, was passed through the House in a few minutes, at an hour when about 650 Members had long gone to bed, and that it became an Act of Parliament by Royal Assent the following day?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe usual course is to give full opportunity for consideration. In the case of the War Loan Trustees Bill, referred to by my hon. Friend, the stages were taken on two days. There were exceptional circumstances which required that the later stages should he taken quickly, so that the Bill could be in operation in time to be of any effect.
§ Sir W. BYLESDoes my right hon. Friend realise that exceptional circumstances have resulted in making this Statute the creation, not of Parliament, hut of half a dozen clerks in Whitehall?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNot at all; it received the assent of both Houses.
§ Sir W. BYLESasked the Prime Minister if he will consider the resumption of Friday sittings as an alternative to the suspension of the Eleven o'Clock Rule?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no evidence of any general desire in the sense of my hon. Friend's proposal.
§ Mr. CHAPLINCan the right hon. Gentleman state the business for Wednesday next?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROn Wednesday I intend to move a Procedure Resolution dealing with Supply. We shall then take the Report stage of the Naval and Military War Pensions Bill and the Third Reading of the Finance Bill.
On Thursday we shall take Supply—Civil Service Votes.
§ Mr. W. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the municipal elections will be fixed this year or not—it is an important question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have already given notice that we will bring in a Bill to deal with that subject.
§ The PRIME MINISTERNext week.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the right hon. Gentleman state when the Colonial Office Vote will be taken?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNot this week. If there is a general desire we will take it next week. I will refer to the subject when I move the Procedure Resolution.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYIn reference to the municipal elections, will the Bill cover the question of Parliamentary registration, which is a subject on which some of us ought to be consulted, having regard to the special case of Ireland?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.