HC Deb 14 April 1919 vol 114 cc2575-6
Mr. ADAMSON

May I ask the Leader of the House what time the House will meet on Wednesday, whether questions to Ministers will be answered, and whether any time limit will be imposed with regard to questions?

Mr. BONAR LAW

We consider that it will be the general wish of the House to meet at twelve o'clock, and I am sure that it will also be the general desire of the House that as much time as possible shall be given to the discussion and not taken up with questions. There is no power, I think, to prevent questions, but I hope the hon. Members will, as far as possible, put down unstarred questions so as not to take up time unnecessarily.

Sir H. DALZIEL

Are we to understand that the Prime Minister will begin the Debate on the Adjournment?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Oh, no, the Prime Minister will be here, but I am sure that his desire is to hear various views from the House before he makes any statement.

Sir H. DALZIEL

May we raise other subjects after the Peace Debate?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Hon. Members, I think, always have that right.

Sir H. DALZIEL

Will the House be allowed to sit?

Mr. BONAR LAW

We cannot close it.

Sir H. DALZIEL

Yes, you can.

Mr. BONAR LAW

The Government certainly will not use the Closure, if they can possibly help it.

Sir D. MACLEAN

May I ask the Leader of the House to represent to the Prime Minister that the view of those sitting with me is that it would be very much more convenient if he found it possible to make his statement first? There is no desire whatever in the present disturbed state of Europe to put the Government in anything approaching an awkward position, but we are looking to as early as possible a full and complete statement from the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am sure the Prime Minister would desire to meet the con- venience of the House as far as possible, but anyone who has been in Paris even for a short time knows how difficult it is to be in touch with the proceedings in this House, and I am sure my right hon. Friend would very much prefer to hear the views of hon. Members on any subject before he makes his statement.

Colonel GREIG

What will be the business on Wednesday after the Adjournment Motion is disposed of? Will the notices for which private Members have got precedence on that evening be taken?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I hope that they will lapse by the Adjournment taking place before 8.15.

Ordered, That the Proceeding on Government Business be exempted at this day's Sitting from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House)."—[Lord Edmund Talbot.]