HC Deb 03 December 1919 vol 122 cc389-91
50. Mr. G. TERRELL

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to take the Second Reading of the Imports and Exports Bill?

54. Mr. WALLACE

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can yet state the date upon which the Second Reading of the Imports and Exports Regulation Bill will be taken?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am not able today to name the day.

Mr. TERRELL

In view of the very great importance and interest which is being taken in this matter can the right hon. Gentleman arrange to give it a very early date?

Sir H. DALZIEL

In view of the large amount of business which the House already has before that will the right hon. Gentleman not favourably consider the suggestion of postponing the Bill?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am quite aware of the interest and also of the importance. We have not yet come to a decision and I cannot give a date until we do.

Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAY

Would it not be better for the Government to acknowledge now that this is a bad Bill and climb down gracefully by dropping it?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I should be quite ready to make that acknowledgment if I thought so.

53. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is the intention of the Government to allow the Imports and Exports Regulation Bill to be discussed in Committee of the whole House?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The Government do not propose to take the course suggested in the question.

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider this matter ought to be discussed on the floor of this House, and not upstairs?

Mr. BONAR LAW

No, I do not, and for this reason: There is an amount of legislation still in front of us to which the Government, and the Members who support the Government, are pledged, and it would make it impossible to carry it through if Bills were taken in Committee on the floor of the House.

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Is there any precedent for a taxing Bill being sent to a Committee upstairs?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I fancy there may be. I think there are precedents even in this Session, for many Bills have been sent upstairs.

Sir D. MACLEAN

Perhaps Mr. Speaker might give his opinion in regard to this, as to whether that part of the Bill falls within the scope of Bills arising in Committee of Ways and Means?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That question reminds me that Mr. Speaker has said he would consider this. Any answer I give is based on the intention of the Government; but, of course, we shall be ready to acquiesce in any decision of Mr. Speaker.

Mr. BILLING

Will the right hon. Gentleman leave to a free vote of the House whether this Bill should be taken here or upstairs?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Certainly we would not do that. The Government is responsible for carrying through the legislation to which they are pledged, and they would not do anything which prevents them from redeeming their pledge.