HC Deb 26 April 1920 vol 128 cc829-31
36. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet come to any decision in regard to the limitation of Debate on the Government of Ireland Bill?

Mr. BONAR LAW

As announced to the House, the Committee is now engaged in allocating the time, and the Government await their Report.

Mr. DEVLIN

Do the Government seriously intend to go on with this Bill? Could not the time be better applied to the Blind Bill?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I suppose the hon. Member meant that by way of a joke. The Government are entirely pledged to go on with it.

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of not having the guillotine for the first two days of the Debate, in order to see whether after that it is necessary to have any guillotine at all?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The matter has been very carefully considered, and if my hon. Friend had been present in the House when I announced the arrangement, he would have been aware that it met with, if not complete, at any rate, general assent. He will understand therefore that the proposal must be adhered to.

Captain WEDGWOOD BENN

If the Committee recommend an extension of the time allowed will the right hon. Gentleman accept their Report?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The Committee was appointed to allocate the time agreed to by the Government. But I am by no means prepared to say that if the Committee recommend a day or two more the Government will not acquiesce.

Lord R. CECIL

Will it not be necessary to have a specific motion to allow the Bill to be considered by a Committee of the whole House? Must not steps be first taken to remove it from the Standing Committee to a Committee of the whole House?

Mr. BONAR LAW

A general motion will be made as soon as the Committee report, and it will be in the form which is rendered necessary by the Report.

44. Major O'NEILL

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to take the Committee stage of the Government of Ireland Bill?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I cannot give a date to-day, but I hope to do so later in the week.