§ Considered in Committee.
§ [Sir W. DICKINSON in the Chair.]
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That it is expedient to authorise the payment, out of Moneys provided by Parliament, and, if those Moneys are insufficient, out of the Consolidated Fund, of such sums as may be required for giving effect to obligations incurred for the purpose of the present War, or in connection therewith, by or on behalf of His Majesty's Government, and for other purposes in relation thereto."
§ Mr. BOOTHThis is one of those Resolutions which has not been put down upon the Paper. It is also one of the Resolutions in respect of which a pledge was given by the Leader of the House. These Resolutions are brought forward, and I think that a financial limit should be inserted in them or that a Minister should offer an explanation as to why that course is impossible. Since the Leader of the House gave that pledge there have been three Money Resolutions brought forward, and on not one of the single occasions has the Minister complied with the wishes—I may say the directions—of the Leader of the House. It is a pity that a Member on the Back Benches should have to remind Ministers that a Chancellor of the Exchequer gave his word, and we expect to see it carried out.
§ Mr. BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)May I say one word? This Resolution was put upon the Paper. I am not aware of any pledge that was given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The reason we are very anxious to get the Resolution to-night is owing to the fact that under the required procedure the Resolution has to go through three stages—three days of Parliamentary time—the Committee stage, the Report stage, and the Third Reading. It takes the three stages before my right hon. Friend can get this Bill, that is why he is anxious to get—the present stage.
§ Mr. BOOTHIf the hon. Gentleman will undertake to make a statement on the Report stage, I will let this stage go through.
§ Mr. BALDWINI shall be very pleased on the Report stage to give the hon. Member any information he desires.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Resolution to be reported upon Monday next.
§ The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.
§ Whereupon Mr. SPEAKER Adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to Standing Order No. 3.
§ Adjourned at Three minutes after Five o'clock.