HC Deb 08 December 1919 vol 122 cc900-1
53. Mr. EVELYN CECIL

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of any precedent for suspending the Standing Orders of this House and resuming in a following Session any Public Bill of the previous Session, except the case of the Port of London Bill in 1903, which was not, in fact, proceeded with in 1904?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am not aware of any precedent except that stated in the question.

58. Lieut.-Colonel W. GUINNESS

asked the Prime Minister whether the proposed carrying over of Bills to next Session will only apply in the case of measures specially named and will not be effected under the operation of a new Standing Order to make a change in the general constitutional law; and, if so, to what particular Bills it is proposed to apply such special order?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am not yet in a position to state the exact form in which Parliament will be invited to carry out the proposal of the Government, but I hope to be able to do so in a few days.

Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAY

Can the Government so frame the Motion in which they propose this change as to ensure that it will only be of a temporary nature?

Mr. BONAR LAW

We are now having our proposal drafted, and that is being kept in view in connection with it.

Mr. G. TERRELL

Can he state the Bills which it is proposed to carry over, and amongst those Bills will there be the Imports and Exports Regulation Bill?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I said I hope in a few days to be able to state exactly what the proposals of the Government are.

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