§ Sir D. MACLEANMay I ask the Leader of the House what business he proposes to take next week? Further, in the event of the Debate on the Ministry of Ways and Communications Bill being concluded before 10 o'clock to-night, what other business does he propose to take?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe business which we propose to take next week is-—
§ Monday—Supply (Board of Trade Vote), in order to enable a discussion to take place as to the price of coal.
§ Tuesday and Wednesday—Finance Bill.
Thursday—Supply (Post Office Vote).
§ As regards the last part of the question, that must depend on the Finance Bill, and perhaps my right hon. Friend (Mr. Chamberlain) will answer.
2018Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have been making some inquiries as to what will suit the convenience of the House. We have finished the portion of the Finance Bill dealing with Customs and Excise. The next portion is that dealing with the Income Tax, on which very important questions immediately arise. I gather that it would be for the convenience of those interested in that question that we should not enter upon that as a second Order to-day, possibly at a late hour of the evening; and if the House will be content to come to an agreement that we finish the Committee stage, of the Bill in the two days next week, without sitting unduly late—we need not close immediately at 11 o'clock—I shall be very glad to meet the wishes of right hon. Gentlemen by postponing the further consideration of the matter until Tuesday. But if there be any doubt about our finishing in reasonable time on Wednesday, then I must take advantage of the opportunity afforded this evening.
Sir F. HALLMay I ask the Leader of the House if the Government have yet considered increasing the time in which questions can be put? [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]
§ Sir D. MACLEANIn answer to the question which my right hon. Friend has put to me may I say we have had two days of I do not think useless discussion? I think there was no obstruction. There are two important questions certainly which have yet to come before the Committee and in one of which the Labour party are particularly concerned, and another as to which many people take a great deal of interest. My right hon. Friend will know that we cannot give any pledge at all because we cannot govern what the Committee will wish to do. There is a question like the double Income Tax, for instance. As far as we are concerned what we say is this, and my right hon. Friend the Member for West Fife (Mr. Adamson) agrees with me, we do our very utmost to see that the decisions in which we are concerned are not at all unduly prolonged, and we do not see any reason why the Debate on the Committee stage should not be concluded on Wednesday night.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNobody can bind other persons in entering into a bargain of this kind, but this kind of understand- 2019 ing made in the presence of the whole House has never been broken I think by any party, and as it meets the wishes of the House I think it will be observed, and therefore I will not ask the House to proceed with the Finance Bill to-day, and we will resume the discussion on Tuesday.
Sir F. HALLMay I ask the Leader of the House if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are seventy-one questions that have not been answered to-day—[HON. MEMBERS: "Supplementaries!"]—and whether; considering that this is the only chance that Members have of bringing matters before the Government, he can see his way to extend the time, so that questions can be answered up to four o'clock? [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] From inquiries I have made, I venture to think that such a change would meet with the general approval of Members of the House.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think it is very doubtful if it would. I believe we have got through a larger proportion of questions this Session than at any previous time, and we would have got through a great many more if a very limited number of Members did not deem it necessary to put so many supplementary questions.
Sir F. HALLDoes the right hon. Gentleman not recognise the fact that supplementary questions very often bring out the reply that is necessary for the House and the country to have?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI was not complaining of supplementary questions. They are useful to Ministers as well as to the House.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of Irish questions it takes four supplementary questions to get one answer?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI had not specially noticed.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHYou will find that is correct.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is a very serious reflection on those who put the Irish questions.
§
Ordered,
That the Proceedings on Government Business be exempted at this day's Sitting from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House)."—[Mr. Bonar Law.]