HC Deb 01 November 1920 vol 134 cc50-1
Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOARE

(by Private, Notice) asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Regulations to be made by the Civil Service Commission regarding the admission of women to the Civil Service will be paid before the House, and, if so, will there be an opportunity for discussing them then, instead of the time promised for discussion of the Order in Council?

Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)

Yes, Sir. The answer to both parts of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative.

Sir S. HOARE

Am I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that the House will have not only an opportunity of discussing these Regulations but, if it thinks fit, of amending them?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I think that follows. If the House is given time to discuss the Regulations and express an opinion on them the Government would certainly not be disinclined to bow to that.

Mr. RAWLINSON

If the Order is passed in its present form will not the House lose control of the Regulations?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I understood that the answer which I have just given was acceptable to those who made the request for time, and it is accepted on this ground that the Government undertake always to lay Regulations before the House. The Regulations themselves can be discussed and it would be much better to deal with the matter in that way.