§ Mr. STUART-WORTLEYMay I ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what will be the business for next week?
Mr. BONARLAWOn Monday we shall take the Report and, I hope, the Third Reading of the Board of Pensions Bill, Supplementary Estimates for the temporary salary of the Paymaster-General and for the monthly payment of teachers in Ireland, and the Committee stage of the Dublin Reconstruction (Emergency Provisions) Bill and the Governemnt War Obligations Bill.
On Tuesday we shall give facilities for a discussion on the Air Service, on the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Blackpool (Mr. Ashley).
On Wednesday the Prime Minister will move a Vote of Credit.
On Thursday we shall take the Report of that Vote, which will provide a convenient opportunity for a discussion of Man-power.
§ Mr. P. WHITEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is quite impossible for the people interested in Dublin to consider the proposed Government Amendments before Monday? They will not be in Dublin till Monday morning.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am afraid I cannot add anything to what has been said on that subject by the Chief Secretary.
§ Sir EDWARD CARSONWere we not to have a day exclusively for Man-power? What I would suggest to the right hon. Gentleman is that to have it mixed up with all the questions that will arise on the Vote of Credit would not be at all in conformity with the pledge that was given, that we were to devote a day to Man-power. I would further ask if facilities will be given to the absent service Members of this House to come home, if military exigencies allow, so as to be present on that important occasion?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs regards the first part of my right hon. Friend's question, if there is not a general willingness on the part of the House to confine the discussion on Thursday to that subject, I think it will be necessary to reconsider the 532 answer of the Prime Minister I have just read out. I will communicate the right hon. Gentleman's suggestions to the Prime Minister to-day, and I hope he will be able to give an answer on Monday.
§ Mr. PRINGLEMay I remind my right hon. Friend that he promised to answer Question 80 in his general statement as to business?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat referred to a promise made yesterday on behalf of the Prime Minister, that he would make a statement on business next week.
Sir H. DALZIELConsidering that the Government have now had the Man-Power Report for a very considerable time, are they able to state whether they are in a position to give the House any information whatever as to its recommendations?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI really do not think it would be advisable to give any answer to that question in advance, but a great deal of work has been done. Perhaps my right hon. Friend will await the discussion.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas the Government abandoned any intention of putting soldiers and sailors on the Register, or of devising machinery for their voting?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI cannot really say anything on that subject beyond what I have said already. The Prime Minister will deal with it in his general statement.
§ Mr. BILLINGMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the great importance of the Man-Power question, he could not see his way clear even to postpone such an important matter as the Air Debate, and give the whole day on Tuesday to the question of Man-Power?