§ 69. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Lord Privy Seal whether the absence of the Prime Minister at Question Time is to be a permanent arrangement for the present Parliament, or whether the Prime Minister will resume the leadership of this House at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI can add nothing to what has already been said on this subject.
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONMay I very respectfully ask the Leader of the House whether the arrangement that now exists is to be permanent throughout the present Parliament?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, Sir. We have come to no conclusion in that respect. All that has been decided is that, so long as the pressure on the Prime Minister is as great as it is now, we shall not alter the present arrangement.
§ Sir D. MACLEANThe House as a whole quite understands the great pressure upon the time of the Prime Minister at present, and also understands that he is very much wearied with his great labours in Paris—we all understand that—but can the right hon. Gentleman give any assurance that when the House meets after the Autumn Vacation we may expect to see the Prime Minister take his accustomed place in the House of Commons?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, Sir, I cannot give that assurance. But I can say that it is only a question of special pressure. At this moment, so far as I can judge, the pressure on the time of the Prime Minister is as great as it was during the War.
Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYWould not the pressure on the Prime Minister be removed if ordinary Cabinet Government were resumed?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, Sir.