HC Deb 04 May 1916 vol 82 cc141-2
Colonel LOCKWOOD

May I ask the Minister of Munitions, in the unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister, what the business will be next week?

The MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Lloyd George)

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has had to leave for the Belgian meeting at the Mansion House, and he has asked me to answer this question.

On Monday we shall give an opportunity for a discussion of the Resolution of the hon. Baronet the Member for Blackburn (Sir H. Norman) in favour of Daylight Saving, and also the Resolution of my right hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy (Sir H. Dalziel) with regard to the Defence of the Realm Regulation.

On Tuesday we shall take the Committee stage of the Military Service Bill.

On Wednesday, whatever stage of that Bill may be necessary.

Mr. HOGGE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why the Government is giving Monday to perfectly new subjects, when we have not yet had the Debate on the Air Service?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

There is real anxiety to settle this question of daylight saving, and as the Allies are also considering the same question, it is desirable to arrive at a decision at the earliest possible moment.

Mr. HOGGE

Is there more anxiety on the part of the Government to save daylight than to provide a proper Air Service?

Mr. R. MCNEILL

Have the Government any intention, after the Military Service Bill comes into law, to propose any Parliamentary Recess in lieu of that which was given up owing to the Cabinet crisis?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I could not answer that question now. It had better be put next week.

Mr. W. O'BRIEN

Can the right hon. Gentleman now say how soon the House will have an opportunity of discussing the state of Ireland, having regard to the Prime Minister's statement on Tuesday that the sooner the Debate takes place the better, and to the fact that fighting has now been over for several days?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

My right hon. Friend cannot give a day for the discussion of this subject before the business of next week, the Military Service Bill, is disposed of.

Mr. O'BRIEN

May we assume that the Committee or Tribunal to inquire into the causes of this outbreak in Ireland will not be appointed until the House has had an opportunity of discussing the names of the Gentlemen who may compose it and especially the scope of their investigation?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I understand my right hon. Friend answered a question on that point to-day.

Mr. BROOKES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer given was entirely unsatisfactory?

Mr. SPEAKER

It is not competent to make any comment on answers to questions.

Ordered, "That the Proceedings on the Military Service Bill have precedence this day of the Business of Supply."—[Mr. Lloyd George.]