HC Deb 12 July 1917 vol 95 cc2100-1
57. Mr. S. MacNEILL

asked the Prime Minister on what ground the discussion in the House of Commons of the Report of the Mesopotamia Commission is to be permitted only on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House, and why this method of the discussion of the Report was selected, which does not admit of Resolutions by the House for the adoption of the Report, or for its rejection, or any collective expression of opinion by the House of its approval or disapproval of the findings of the Commission, especially of its censure on individuals for incompetence, criminal disregard of human life, indifference to the treatment of wounded men, and deliberate misrepresentation of that treatment to the Secretary of State for India and accordingly to Parliament; and whether the House will be given an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the subject?

Captain WRIGHT

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether since under his proposal an Army Court is to inquire into the action of persons not subject to military law, amongst whom are included Members of the Cabinet and the late Viceroy of India, and to make a report which is to be binding on the Government, he will give the House an opportunity of expressing its opinion as asked for in this question?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The House will have an opportunity of judging as the Debate proceeds whether any other form of Motion is necessary.

Mr. MacNEILL

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman puts down a Motion for the Adjournment under which the House is incapable of expressing its opinion? Is not that trifling with the House and the country?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am following the exact precedent which was followed in the case of the Dardanelles Report. I know of no other method which would be better, but how are we to know by what particular method the House would desire to discuss it?

Mr. WATSON

How can the House give a considered opinion without having the evidence before it?

Mr. KING

Did the right hon. Gentleman take advantage of the usual channels of information to find out what the real and overwhelming opinion of this House is?

Mr. BONAR LAW

No, I did not. I followed the precedent which was not objected to in the previous case.

Mr. MacNEILL

There is no other precedent than this which the Government itself made for its own advantage.