HC Deb 17 February 1916 vol 80 cc257-8

Order read for resuming adjourned Debate on Question [15th February],

"That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, as followeth:—

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament:"—[Mr. Macpherson.]

Question again proposed. Debate resumed.

Mr. PRINGLE

Before the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Peto) moves the Amendment standing in his name I wish to put to you, Mr. Speaker, a point of Order in reference to a number of other Amendments on the same subject standing in the names of other hon. Members. Will it be in order for those other hon. Members, on the discussion of the Amendment of the hon. Member for Devizes to raise the wider issues contained in their Amendments on the Paper, or will it be competent for any hon. Member to move an Amendment to the Amendment of the hon. Member for Devizes?

Mr. SPEAKER

I think the House will probably not desire me to draw the line too strictly in the matter of relevance. It is true that a good many of these Amendments differ one from the other, but the general object is the same, namely, to discuss the difficult situation in which the country now finds itself in regard to this matter. Therefore, I do not think that it would be incumbent upon me to be very strict with any hon. Member whose speech may possibly extend beyond the actual terms of this Amendment.