HC Deb 01 July 1920 vol 131 cc651-3
Sir DONALD MACLEAN

I wish to ask the Leader of the House a question relating to a notice of Motion which stands in his name, referring to the consideration of Lords Amendments to the Rent Bill to-night, and also to the Committee on the Ministry of Mines !Salaries and Expenses]. Does he not think, in view of the importance of the Rent Bill, and that a large and very important part of it was taken after 12 o'clock at night, it would be more to the convenience of the House to take the Lords Amendments before 11 o'clock? Then, in view of the fact that the Ministry of Mines Bill was only passed last night, and very strong criticism was addressed to the extra expenditure in connection with this new branch of the Board of Trade, does he not think it is asking too much of the House to consider so important a matter as the vindication of that expenditure after 11 o'clock to-night?

Mr. BONAR LAW

As regards the Rent Bill, there is a time limit, and the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion that it should be taken before 11 is, of course, impossible, as to-day is Supply day. I think it is necessary to take it to-night.

As regards the other subject, the right hon. Gentleman suggests that it is trying the House too far. It is done entirely to suit what I believe to be the convenience of the House. I think there is a general desire that we should rise at some reasonable time before the Recess. The Bill must be got through, and unless this stage is taken there will be delay. It is entirely a question for the House. If hon. Members desire, as I think they all do, to rise early, we shall have to do more than we have been doing recently.

Sir D. MACLEAN

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration, in giving that answer, that these Bills could have been introduced at a much earlier stage of the Session?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Yes, I took that fully into account. I have never known a Government which did not mismanage its business. I dealt with the situation as it is now.

Captain W. BENN

Is it not a fact that the Government has pursued the practice of taking the Report stage of every Money Resolution after 11 o'clock? Doubtless as regards this Resolution also they will attempt to take the Report stage after 11 o'clock, thus forcing the House to decide on an expenditure of £250,000 a year without any proper Debate at all.

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is entirely a question for the House. If the House wishes to take it at an early hour it can do so. I do not agree with the view that we cannot discuss anything after 11 o'clock. I have had a great deal of experience of very good business after 11 o'clock.

Mr. CLYNES

If we are to rise early for the good of our health and not for the good of business, is it not likely that we shall lose our health by sitting late?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is a matter of opinion. It is a question for the House. Speaking for the Government, I think it would be desirable not only for Ministers and Members, but for the Departments, that there should be a reasonable recess. It is a question for the convenience of the House that we should sit late. If the House does not desire to expedite the business by sitting late, then, of course, we must deal with that.

Major-General SEELY

The right hon. Gentleman gave a reply in regard to the Home Rule Bill which was unintentionally obscure. He was asked whether the Government were going to carry the Bill through this Session or carry it over to the Autumn Session. We could not make out the answer.

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not think it was obscure. The Session does not end when we adjourn.

Major-General SEELY

You were asked if you were going to carry it before the House rises in August?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I gave a quite distinct answer. We have no hope whatever of doing that.