HC Deb 09 July 1918 vol 108 cc276-8
Mr. BOOTH

I beg to move, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."

I spoke to the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury to-night, and asked him whether it was proposed to take the Committee stage of this Bill, and he said no; he wanted the Second Reading, but not the Committee stage. I think, under those circumstances, we ought to accept the Motion to report Progress.

Mr. HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)

I was not aware of the undertaking my Noble Friend had given, but I entirely accept the statement of my hon. Friend, and will not persist.

Mr. BOOTH

It is unusual, too, is it not, to take all the stages of a Bill like this? I have never known it done.

Mr. HOPE

Only by general consent.

Question put, and agreed to.

Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER (Sir Donald Maclean), pursuant to the Order of the House of the 13th February, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."

Mr. BOOTH

I wish to say I have just received a copy of a Report for which I have been asking for four or five weeks, but I find it much more voluminous than I thought, and I should like to know whether it is intended to take this to-morrow night or whether we might have another date. I understood we should have time to digest the Report. I want to go over it with one or two legal friends, but there really is not much chance if it is to be taken to-morrow, as I have only to-morrow morning in which to act. I would not object if it were taken on Thursday.

Mr. WATT

Will the hon. Gentleman also say whether the House is to sit on Friday and, if so, what business is to be taken?

Mr. HOPE

I am afraid I am in the position of not being able to give very definite answers. On the first question, I will communicate at once with my Noble Friend and let the hon. Member know. I should presume, from what he says, that there would be no objection to the Motion being taken on Thursday. With regard to the other point raised, I cannot speak with certainty, but I am rather afraid it will be necessary to sit on Friday, in order to take the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill.

Question put, and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-four minutes after Nine o'clock.