HC Deb 10 July 1918 vol 108 cc465-8

Bill reported, without Amendment.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the third time."

Mr. HOGGE

We are being asked at this hour—on Thursday morning—to take the Third Reading of so important a measure, which we have been trying to Amend in Committee. I do appeal to the President of the Local Government Board to carry out the promise made by the Patronage Secretary that if we did not get the Bill yesterday it should be taken on Friday. We began the discussion of the Committee stage on Wednesday; it is now Thursday, and as the Bill was not concluded last night I think he ought to carry out his intention that it should be taken on Friday.

Lord EDMUND TALBOT (Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)

I have no recollection of having said that, but if he says I said it, of course I will keep my word.

who shall constitute their governors in municipal matters in the immediate future.

Question put, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

The Committee divided: Ayes, 69; Noes, 7.

Division No. 61.] AYES. [12.6 a.m.
Agg-Gardner, Sir James Tynte Gibbs, Col. George Abraham Parker, James (Halifax)
Baird, John Lawrence Gilbert, James Daniel Pease, Rt. Hon. H. P. (Darlington)
Baldwin, Stanley Gilmour, Lt.-Col, John Pennefather, De Fonblanque
Barlow, Sir Montague (Salford, S.) Gretton, John Pollock, Sir Ernest Murray
Barnett, Capt. Richard W. Hambro, Angus Valdemar Pratt, John W.
Barnston, Major Harry Harmsworth, Cecil B. (Luton, Beds.) Pryce-Jones, Col. Sir E.
Barton, Sir William Harris, Sir Henry P. (Paddington, S.) Pulley, C. T.
Bathurst, Col. Hon. A. B. (Glouc., E.) Havelock-Allan, Sir Henry Rea, Walter Russell
Bellairs, Commander Carlyon W. Hope, James Fitzalan (Sheffield) Rees, Sir J. D.
Boscawen, Sir Arthur Griffith- Jones, Wm. S. Glyn- (Stepney) Robinson, Sidney
Bridgeman, William Clive Lane-Fox, Major G. R. Samuels, Arthur W. (Dub. U.)
Bryce, John Annan Larmor, Sir J. Sanders, Col. Robert Arthur
Butcher, Sir J. G. Law, Rt. Hon. A. Bonar (Bootle) Smith, Harold (Warrington)
Carew, Charles R. S. (Tiverton) Layland-Barratt, Sir F. Strauss, E. A. (Southwark, W.)
Cator, John Levy, Sir Maurice Ward, W. Dudley (Southampeon)
Cecil, Rt. Hon. Evelyn (Aston Manor) Lewis, Rt. Hon. John Herbert Weston, John W.
Coats, Sir Stuart (Wimbledon) Lloyd, George Butler (Shrewsbury) Whiteley, Sir H. J. (Droitwich)
Colvin, Col. M'Curdy, Charles Albert Wilson, Rt. Hon. J. W. (Worcs., N.)
Craig, Ernest (Crewe) Marshall, Arthur Harold Wilson-Fox, Henry (Tamworth)
Davies, David (Montgomery Co.) Mason, James F. (Windsor) Winfrey, Sir R.
Davies, Sir W. Howell (Bristol, S.) Mason, Robert Younger, Sir George
Dawes, James Arthur Mond, Rt. Hon. Sir Alfred Moritz
Fisher, Rt. Hon. William Hayes Morison, Thomas B. (Inverness) TELLERS FOR THE AYES.—Lord
France, Gerald Ashburner Newman, Sir Robert (Exeter) E. Talbot and Colonel Gibbs.
NOES
Booth, Frederick Handel Martin, Joseph Watt, Henry A.
Hogge, J. M. Price, C. E. (Edinburgh, Central) TELLERS FOR THE NOES.
Jowett, Frederick William Raffan, Peter Wilson Mr. Pringle and Mr. Sherwell
Mr. HOGGE

It may have been a misunderstanding, but I was informed by my Friends in the Lobby that it was so. As the Patronage Secretary knows, nobody more than myself appreciates the way in which he keeps any bargain he makes with any Member of this House. I have made as many arrangements with him as most people, and I willingly pay this tribute to him, that I do not know any member of the Government or of any Government who so implicitly keeps every promise that he makes to Members. Therefore, I was not seeking to imply to him a promise which he did not make. I was distinctly given to understand from the conversation I had with my hon. and learned Friend (Mr. Watt) in the Lobby that such a promise had been given. The hon. and learned Member is in constant attendance, and he was under the impression that the promise was made. He said that if we got through the Committee stage we should not have to wait very long, as the Bill was to stand over until Friday. Even if there was a misunderstanding, why not take the Bill on Friday? There are only several small measures for Friday, and there is no reason why we should proceed with it tonight. If we do, seeing that we have all lost our trains now, there is more time to discuss it than we would have in an ordinary sitting.

Mr. BOOTH

I am afraid I was unwittingly to blame for this misunderstanding. Certainly the Patronage Secretary did not say he did not want the Third Reading to-night. I happened to ask him—and he is always very courteous with any Member who goes to him—what was the business on Friday, and he mentioned one or two Bills. He also said that if this Bill was not finished to-night it would have to be taken on Friday. So far as I am concerned, I do not think we ought to take advantage of the position, and I suggest that we give way and allow the Bill to pass.

Mr. WATT

May I explain my position? I was under the impression that the Patronage Secretary had said that if the Bill was not passed last night (Wednesday) it would have to be dealt with on Friday. It was a misunderstanding. I do not insist upon the Patronage Secretary keeping a promise he never made, and I suggest that we should allow the Bill to go through.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the third time, and passed.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

It being after Half-past Eleven of the clock on Wednesday evening, Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned at Twenty minutes after Twelve o'clock.