HC Deb 02 March 1916 vol 80 cc1235-6
Sir F. BANBURY

I beg to move, in Class II., to reduce Vote 2 by £50,000.

The object of this Amendment is to abolish the payment of salaries to Members. This is not a very convenient opportunity to bring forward that Amendment, because if it were carried I believe it would deprive the officials of the House of their salaries as well as Members of Parliament. That could possibly be arranged for, but I understand the Government, recognising that this is not a very convenient moment to bring the matter before the House, are prepared to come to some other arrangement. I therefore make this proposal to the right hon. Gentleman who is now leading the House: If he will undertake to give a day before the 15th April for the discussion of the Resolution on the payment of double salaries to Members on service with the Navy and Army and that this Resolution shall be in such a form that an Amendment can be moved that no Members shall receive salaries, then I will undertake to withdraw my Amendment to-day.

Mr. HOGGE

Will my right hon. Friend also undertake, if he gives any undertaking at all, that on that occasion he will so provide that we shall be able to discuss the reduction of salaries from the top of the Civil List to the bottom?

4.0 P.M.

The MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Lloyd George)

I agree with the right hon. Baronet that this is not a very convenient opportunity for discussing the Amendment which he has down on the Paper. It is not a very convenient opportunity for raising the issue which he wishes to raise. It would be complicated with other issues which would make it impossible for the House of Commons to express a clear judgment on the matter. Therefore, I think he has exercised a very wise judgment in preferring another opportunity which would enable him to raise the distinct issue on which he wants to have the opinion of the House, and the Government, after consultation with the authorities of the House, are prepared to give a day before the 15th April for the discussion of the Resolution about the payment of double salaries to Members on service with the Army and Navy. And the Resolution will be framed so as to enable any hon. Member to move as an Amendment that no Members shall receive salaries. I understand that the authorities in the House have been consulted on the subject, and agree it would be possible to move an Amendment in that form. That meets, I think, the wishes of the right hon. Baronet and those who wish to challenge the issue. With regard to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Hogge), that raises an issue of a totally different character—

Mr. HOGGE

This is a sham fight.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

It is a matter on which I would rather not express an opinion at the present moment. The right hon. Baronet opposite has made a definite Motion, and we are dealing with that. The Government have, I think, met him in a fair spirit.

Sir F. BANBURY

I am obliged to the Government for accepting my proposal, and, therefore, I do not propose now to move my Amendment.

Mr. PRINGLE

Will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that, if a Motion is put down to consider the whole question of salaries of Ministers and other State officials, a day will be given for it?