§ 51. Major ASTORasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government propose to pass a Bill establishing a Ministry of Health before the Adjournment?
§ Sir G. CAVEMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The proposal for a Ministry of Health Bill has been referred to the Committee of Home Affairs, and was considered by that Committee at its first meeting yesterday. After discussion, it became clear that the proposal raised questions of some difficulty, and it was decided to adjourn the consideration of the Bill to a special meeting of the Committee to be held early next week. It is, I think, obvious that it 318 would be impossible to pass such a Bill before the Adjournment of the House in August next.
§ Major ASTORCan my right hon. Friend say whether the Bill will be introduced before the Adjournment?
§ Sir G. CAVEI cannot answer that until the Committee come to a decision.
§ Major ASTOROwing to the announcement that the Bill was only delayed by Departmental difficulties, and that it was stated before Easter that the Bill was practically ready, I beg to give notice that I will ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House.
§ Major ASTOR (later)I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the delay of the Government in introducing a Bill to establish a Ministry of Health.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI would point out to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that there is a Blocking Notice standing in the name of the hon. Member for Pontefract, which deals with the same topic and which, therefore, will preclude the question being raised by way of a Motion for Adjournment. Then arises a question under Standing Order 10A, which says,
Regard shall be had by Mr. Speaker to the probability of the matter anticipated being brought before the House within a reasonable time.In my judgment, in view of the statement made by the Home Secretary to-day, there is a probability of the matter anticipated being brought before the House within a reasonable time. Therefore the Blocking Notice would stand against the hon. and gallant Gentleman.
§ Mr. J. H. THOMASWould a reasonable time be interpreted as being this Session?
§ Mr. SPEAKERYes.
§ Mr. THOMASMay I ask your ruling, Sir, as to how long a Member has power to block a question being discussed in which there is a strong feeling both inside and outside the House? I should like to know what steps can be taken to prevent such a scandal as that?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe reply to the hon. Member's question is contained in Standing Order 10A, which says that if the Speaker considers that there is a probability 319 within a reasonable time of the matter being discussed, then the Blocking Order is to stand, but if there is no probability of the matter being discussed within a reasonable time the Blocking Notice is not to operate as a Blocking Notice. It must, therefore, be for me to decide in each case, and for the present, in view of the statement made by the Home Secretary, all I decide is that there is a probability that the matter will come up for discussion.
§ Sir E. CARSONWill it be possible for my hon. and gallant Friend to renew his application in the event of the Government further postponing the introduction of the Bill?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is quite clear that when we get a decision from the Committee of the Cabinet upon this matter a new situation will arise. I will not commit myself. All I say at present is that a new situation will arise, and that I will reconsider the matter then.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the Chancellor of the Exchequer give the House an opportunity of discussing the decision of the Government when it is arrived at?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think what you, Sir, have just said indicates that if you think the circumstances justify it, you will yourself take steps to enable the House to express its opinion.