§ 49. Earl WINTERTONasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Government are unable to give facilities for the passage of the Representation of the People Bill, he can state if it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation extending the franchise to women during the lifetime of the present Parliament?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI cannot make any statement now as to the legislation which the Government will introduce during future Sessions of the present Parliament.
§ Earl WINTERTONHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the unfortunate position in which those who support this movement in this House will stand by the refusal of representatives of the Government in the House and in the Committee to state what is the policy of the Government towards the extension of the franchise to women? Will the right hon. Gentleman take that into consideration?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Government do not propose to introduce a Bill this Session, and I cannot say anything beyond that.
Mr. THOMASDid not the Government on the Second reading Debate lead the House to believe that, if the Bill was given a Second reading, Government facilities would be given for it?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMy right hon. Friend is mistaken. The decision was left, as is usual on a private Member's Bill, to the free vote of the House, but the Minister in charge distinctly stated that the Government could promise no facilities in the way of time.
§ Captain W. BENNWill the right hon. Gentleman say what the policy of the Government is in respect to this question?