HC Deb 30 May 1916 vol 82 cc2677-8

Resolution reported,

That it is expedient to authorise the Treasury to provide, during the continuance of the present War and six months thereafter, for the issue of new securities for the purpose of the exchange of securities issued under any War Loan Act passed during the continuance of the War, and for the cancellation of the securi- ties received in exchange, in pursuance of any Act of the present Session dealing with Finance.

Resolution read a second time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."

Mr. FELL

May we have an explanation of what this is?

Sir G. CAVE

It is the Report of the Resolution adopted by the Committee yesterday, when it was fully discussed.

Mr. KING

I think the Solicitor-General is hardly correct. This Resolution was passed not yesterday but some time ago. Order No. 11 on the Paper relates to the Report of Ways and Means of 29th May. That is the Resolution passed yesterday. I hope we shall have some more satisfactory explanation of this Resolution, otherwise I am afraid it will be my duty to oppose it.

Sir G. CAVE

I must apologise to the House. My eyes travelled too far down the Paper. I thought we were dealing with a later Order.

Mr. KING

Under the circumstances, may I appeal to the Government not to proceed with this Order to-night, as they are evidently not prepared to go on with it. They have got through a good deal of business, and I hope they will not press this Order.

Mr. GULLAND (Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury was here in anticipation of this Order, and left only five minutes ago, thinking the Courts (Emergency Powers) Bill would take rather longer. In his absence, if the hon. Member presses the point, I will certainly move the adjournment of the Debate.

Motion made, and Question, "That the Debate be now adjourned," put, and agreed to.

Debate to be resumed to-morrow (Wednesday).

The remaining Orders of the Day were read, and postponed.

Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 22nd February, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."

Question put, and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-nine Minutes before Teu o'clock.