§ Mr. JONATHAN SAMUELasked the Prime Minister what action the Government proposes to take in view of the decision of the House of Lords to postpone the Naval and Military War Pensions Bill until after the Recess, especially having regard to the inconvenience and loss to many soldiers and sailors who are waiting to get their permanent pension fixed under this Bill; whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that on 18th November, 1914, a pledge was exacted by the then Leader of the Opposition from the Government that they would act on the decision of the Select Committee, and that such a pledge was given on behalf of the Government; therefore, does not this pledge constitute a binding bargain between all parties in the State that they would abide by the findings of the Select Committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will deal with this matter on the Adjournment to-morrow.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMAre we to understand from that statement that the House is going to rise to-morrow, whether this Bill passes or not?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy hon. Friend must understand that I am, to-morrow, going to move the Motion for the Adjournment.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMAre we to understand that the soldiers and sailors are to go without their pensions for the convenience of the Government?
§ Mr. BOOTHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many loyal supporters of the Government, who are quite prepared to fall in with his Motion, feel a great deal of concern about starting for the holidays with this question unsettled.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am sure that is so.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMThen why do not you insist upon it?
§ Mr. HOGGEMay I appeal to the Prime Minister to tell us to-day whether the Bill will be proceeded with before the Recess, and I would ask him whether he thinks it is fair to us to only make a statement to-morrow, when the only thing that is open to us to do is to continue the discussion on the Motion for the Adjournment.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have nothing to add to what I have said.
§ Mr. J. SAMUELMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that we Members of Parliament are receiving letters every day asking us questions about the pensions of these men, and does he not think that it is really a most serious matter that we should now have a delay of two months before this Bill comes into operation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir. I quite sympathise with the hon. Member's observations.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the Prime Minister aware that the discussion was curtailed on this Bill on account of the urgency of the measure, and will he take that into account in reconsidering his decision as to the length of the Recess?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI shall not reconsider the decision in regard to the length of the Recess, but I shall take all these other matters into consideration.
Sir H. DALZIELHaving regard to the large number of Members who desire to take part in the Debate to-morrow, and the further fact that it is generally understood that two Members of the Cabinet are going to make important Ministerial statements, can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to move the suspension of the Eleven o'Clock Rule to-morrow?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNot unless I receive something like a general expression of opinion that such is the desire of the House.
Sir H. DALZIELBy what method does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that we can convey our views in the direction he has suggested?
§ The PRIME MINISTERBy the ordinary method.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMAre we going to have the Closure moved to-morrow before 11 o'clock?