HC Deb 01 July 1920 vol 131 cc655-9
Mr. CLYNES

Can the Lord Privy Seal tell us what business will be taken next week; and when the Finance Bill is likely to be taken again, and what amount of time will be given to it?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The business for next week will be—Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the Finance Bill.

Thursday, Supply—I hope the Secretary of State for India Vote.

As regards the time to be devoted to the Finance Bill, the Budget is always free from the Standing Orders, and the time to be taken must depend upon circumstances.

Captain W. BENN

Can we have an assurance that this programme will be adhered to? Last week the Milk and Dairies Bill was announced, but that order of business was not followed.

Mr. BONAR LAW

It was not followed because it was not convenient, and the hon. Members concerned gave adequate reasons for the change. I trust, however, that this programme will be adhered to next week.

Mr. PALMER

Was it not understood that a special day would be given to the Debate on the case of General Dyer, and that that would not interfere with the Debate on the salary of the Secretary of State for India?

Mr. BONAR LAW

No; I did not promise that. It was impossible for me to give any special date, but it will be possible to raise the question of General Dyer on the Vote for the Secretary of State for India.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Was it not understood that it was desirable that the House should have an opportunity of discussing the Amritsar question, that one day should be given to that on Vote for Secretary of State's salary, and that another day should be given in order that we should discuss larger questions of administration in India?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I never indicated that. What was said was that, provided it were the general desire of the House, there might be two days—one for the Vote for the Secretary of State, and one for the case of General Dyer.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Is it not rather hard that the Hunter Commission's Report, which is a matter of great public interest, should be forced upon a Supply day, and that private Members should be deprived of the constitutional right of criticising other actions of the Secretary of State for India, simply because it is necessary to discuss the Hunter Report?

Mr. BONAR LAW

There are 20 Supply days in the year, given for the express purpose of having subjects raised with the general desire of the House. It does not depend upon us which subjects are taken, and it is not for me to say that I can give a separate Supply day for the purpose.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desir- ability of giving an extra day in the autumn, so that we may endeavour to avoid crowding too much into one day.

Mr. BONAR LAW

I will be quite ready to do that if there be time. If the House really desire it, I am quite sure the Opposition Whips will try to agree.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Are we to understand that neither in this year nor in the future we shall have the Motion proposed, "That the Speaker do now leave the Chair," in order that we may consider the

East India Budget, which we used to have in the old days.

Mr. BONAR LAW

The hon. Member must know that that was deliberately done away with by the House last year.

Motion made, and Question put, That the Proceedings on Consideration of Lords Amendments to the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Bill and of the Committee on Ministry of Mines [Salaries and Expenses] be exempted at this day's Sitting from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House).— [Mr. Bonar Law. ]

The House divided: Ayes, 224; Noes, 75.