HC Deb 14 February 1918 vol 103 cc312-425

Order read for resuming adjourned Debate on Question [12th February],

"That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, as followeth:—

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom, of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.''—[Major-General Lowther.]

Question again proposed. Debate resumed.

Mr. DENMAN

On a point of Order, Sir. I regret to have again to raise the point of Order to which I referred yesterday, and that has relation to the form in which the King's Speech is printed in our records. I have to refer to it again, because new facts have been brought to my notice. In another place Lord Curzon informed the House that the missing paragraph had been accidentally omitted from the printed Report, and was intended to be included in the King's Speech. I find, as a fact, in the House of Lords record that His Majesty's Speech is given with the paragraph included. I can assure the House that I should not have raised the point were it not one of substance, and with your permission I will read the paragraph for which, for greater accuracy, I have obtained a copy.

Mr. SPEAKER

We are all familiar with it. The hon. Member raised the question yesterday, and I ask him what is his new point?

Mr. DENMAN

It is surely desirable that the records in this House and in the other place as to what exactly was contained in the King's Speech should be identical. At present there is direct conflict, and I wanted, if I might, to refer to this paragraph, and to emphasise its importance.

Mr. SPEAKER

The importance of the paragraph is not a matter for a point of Order. What is the point which the hon. Gentleman wishes to bring forward? What is it he wishes me to do?

Mr. DENMAN

I ask that the paragraph may be inserted in our records, and I desire also in a few words to state why it is of importance that this paragraph should appear.

Mr. SPEAKER

I have nothing to do with the merits of the question. As to the point of Order, I understand that the hon. Gentleman wishes me to insert something into the King's Speech, and put something into the mouth of His Majesty which he did not deliver. Is that the point?

Mr. DENMAN

Whether His Majesty delivered it or not, there is a direct conflict of evidence. "His Majesty's Speech to the Lords was as follows," and there follows this paragraph: I have summoned representatives of My Dominions and of My Indian Empire to a farther Session of the Imperial War Cabinet, in order that I may again receive their advice on questions of moment affecting the common interests of the Empire. That paragraph was read by the Lord Chancellor in another place, and by yourself in this House, as being part of the King's Speech.

Mr. SPEAKER

I think the hon. Member is mistaken as to the Lord Chancellor. I am afraid that was not read by the Lord Chancellor in another place. It was read by me, and I explained the circumstances under which it was read yesterday.

Mr. BILLING

On a point of Order. Surely the King wished his Speech to be read in another place, and anything that transpired afterwards was out of order?

Mr. SPEAKER

I explained the circumstances fully yesterday, and no new point arises.

    cc313-74
  1. FOOD SUPPLIES AND DISTRIBUTION. 26,358 words
    2. cc374-96
  2. POPE'S PEACE NOTE. 9,448 words
    3. cc396-425
  3. INTOXICANTS (MANUFACTURE AND SALE). 12,365 words