HC Deb 15 April 1920 vol 127 cc1972-3

Considered in Committee.

[Mr. WHITLEY in the Chair.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, That it is expedient to authorise the payment, out of moneys to be provided by Parliament, of expenses incurred under any Act of the present Session for carrying into effect Treaties of Peace between His Majesty and certain other Powers."—[Mr. C. Harmsworth.]

Mr. HOGGE

I do not think that, at five minutes to eleven, we ought to begin the Committee Stage of the Expenses Resolution in connection with a Treaty of this nature. If I recollect rightly, the Resolution in connection with the Treaty between this country and France was also brought forward at a late hour of the night.

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)

We hoped very much to get the Committer, stage of this Resolution to-night, but if it is the opinion of the Committee that that is unreasonable we shall not press it. It is, however, important that we should proceed as quickly as possible with the further stages of the Austrian and Bulgarian Treaty, and, while we have no right to press the point, I should take it as a great favour to myself if the Committee would allow us to take the Committee Stage to-night. We have circulated in the Vote Office—I am sorry to say only in typewritten form—a brief statement with regard to this Resolution, and it is no doubt in the hands of all hon. Members who have taken a special interest in this matter. If my hon. Friend, and the House generally, would concede this, I should, if I may so put it, be personally very grateful, while, which is much more important, the Bill would be very much advanced.

Mr. HOGGE

I never have had any objection to these things being proceeded with quickly, but here is a Treaty which could have been brought before the House weeks or months ago, and now, when we are asked to take the Expenses Resolution, there are only typewritten copies of the statement. I make this offer to my hon. Friend. If he will withdraw the Resolution, and allow Members to see the statement, and will put it down on Monday, we will give it to him on Monday without opposition. It is unreasonable to ask the Committee to deal with an international matter of this kind in so haphazard a way.

Mr. HARMSWORTH

There will be a Report stage of the Resolution on which it can be more extensively discussed. I do not exactly know what the procedure on Monday will be, but I am not at all sure that an opportunity will occur.

Mr. HOGGE

If my hon. Friend will give the Opposition generally notice that the Report stage is going to be taken, and that time will be given to look at the documents, we shall be satisfied.

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I shall be glad to do that, and I have no doubt my Noble Friend will agree. I am very much obliged to my hon. Friend.

Colonel GRETTON

I went to the Vote Office at 7.30 and inquired for this Paper which has been mentioned, but I could not get it, and nothing was known of it. I think it is unreasonable to ask the House of Commons—

It being Eleven of the clock, the Chairman left the Chair to make his Report to the House.

Committee report Progress; to sit again to-morrow.