§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYMay I ask the Leader of the House whether, in connection with the statement by the Prime Minister tomorrow, it is proposed then formally to ask the House for the ratification of the Peace Treaty, and, if not, when the formal Motion of ratification will be submitted?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, Sir, it is not the intention of the Government to ask the 970 House formally to ratify the Treaty tomorrow. It will be merely the formal introduction of the Bill for that purpose.
Sir H. DALZIELIs it anticipated that the general Debate will take place tomorrow, or do the Government desire to postpone it till the Second Beading?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Government have no wishes in the matter. If the House desire to discuss it to-morrow, by all means discuss it.
§ Lord R. CECILWill the Bill be a ratification of the Treaty or for carrying out the powers of necessary legislation?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThere is no obligation, as I understand, in the ordinary course to have a Bill at all. It might have been done by formal Resolution, but in this case legislation is necessary to enable some of the provisions of the Treaty to be carried out.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYWill the actual ratification of Parliament be by means of this Bill or by Motion?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt will be by means of the Bill, though I may say it is not quite certain whether we may not have two short Bills instead of one long one.
Sir H. DALZIELBy what procedure is it intended to ask the approval of Parliament for the signing of Peace?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs I understand, by agreeing to these Bills.
Lieut.-Colonel C. LOWTHER(by Private Notice) asked whether, in. view of the fact that the Papers embodying the Peace Terms, which the Prime Minister hopes to lay on the Table of the House on Thursday, must necessarily be voluminous, it would not be in the better interests of the country to allow Members time for the assimilation of so lengthy and intricate a document; and, if so, whether the Prime Minister will postpone his statement until Monday or early next week—[HON. MEMBERS: "NO!"]—when Members will be in a position to reply with at least some knowledge of facts and figures?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Treaty is at present in the hands of Members, and I do not think it is necessary, nor do I think the House would approve of my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.
Lieut.-Colonel LOWTHERMay we, at any rate, take it that a discussion on Thursday will not debar this House from 971 further discussion later on, when we have had time to assimilate and digest the facts and figures?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is obvious that if a Bill is introduced, it must give opportunities for discussion on further stages.
§ Mr. BILLINGWhen may we expect the Second Reading of the Bill?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI cannot say.
§ Lord R. CECILWill the whole question be open on the Second Reading of the Bill, so that the House, if it prefer, may take the discussion on the Second Reading?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI should not be surprised should the House prefer the discussion then to take place. Certainly it is entirely a matter for the House.