HC Deb 18 April 1918 vol 105 cc577-8
Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House, what is the business for next week?

Mr. BONAR LAW

On Monday and Tuesday we propose to take the Budget. On Monday it will also be necessary to get the final stages of the Army (Annual) Bill.

On Wednesday we propose to take, the further stages of the Increase of Rent, etc. (Amendment) Bill.

On Thursday we propose to bake the Vote for Munitions.

Sir D. GODDARD

When does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take the Motion which has been on the Paper for some days in reference to the statutory powers of gas undertakings?

Mr. BONAR LAW

It might be possible to take it on Monday. We will take it as soon as we can. I hope that it will not be necessary to sit to-morrow, but that depends on the Lords Amendments to the Military Service Bill, and it may be necessary to sit for the purpose of considering them.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Can the right hon. Gentleman put down the Home Office Vote for an early date, and have a division on it?

Mr. BONAR LAW

My hon. Friend knows that the Government are guided largely by the wishes of the Opposition as to what Votes the Prime Minister puts down.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Can the right hon. Gentleman on the Front Opposition Bench say when we may have this Vote?

Mr. KING

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an opportunity of considering the new appointment in the War Office, by putting down a War Office Vote, so that the appointment of the new Secretary of State may be considered?

Mr. BONAR LAW

It is obvious that we cannot have every Vote on the same day. The Government are willing to put down any of these Votes that are most convenient to the House.

Mr. BILLING

On what Vote can we discuss the appointment of Lord Derby?

Mr. HOGGE

What is the Opposition to which my right hon. Friend refers in reference to putting down Votes?

Mr. ARNOLD

Does the statement of the right hon. Gentleman mean that Tuesday will be devoted to a general Debate on the Budget?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Yes, in the usual course.

Sir R. COOPER

Do I understand that to-night, when the Motion for Adjournment comes on, the Air Service will not be represented?

Mr. BONAR LAW

No. I did not say that, but I did wish it to be made quite plain that I do not feel bound to attend on the Adjournment whenever an individual Member wishes to raise a question.

Mr. BILLING

Will any member of the War Cabinet attend?

Mr. PRINGLE

I can say what the right hon. Gentleman was doing the last time I raised a matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. HOGGE

Playing at chess!

Mr. SPEAKER

I really must deprecate these very offensive observations. I have already had to reprimand one of the Press Gallery for introducing into the public Press references to the private acts of Ministers and of Members when they are in attendance here. If, in addition to that, hon. Members are going to make in this House statements as to what Ministers and Members do in the Lobbies and the smoke room and the dining room, then life here would become intolerable.

Ordered, "That on this day,' notwithstanding anything in Standing Order No. 15, the Consideration of any Amendments made by the Lords to the Military Service Bill may be entered upon before Eleven of the clock, and shall not be interrupted under the Standing Order (Sitting of the House), and may be entered upon at any hour although opposed."—[Mr. Bonar Law.]