HC Deb 10 November 1920 vol 134 cc1319-20

Considered in Committee.

[Sir E. CORNWALL in the Chair.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, That, for the purpose of any Act of the present Session to amend, the Law relating to Housing of the People, Public Health, and Local Government, and for purposes in connection therewith, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of grants under Section one of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, in respect of houses completed within two years of the passing of that Act or such further period not exceeding four months as the Minister of Health may in any special case allow, and in respect of houses provided with the approval of the Minister of Health by local authorities for persons employed by them."—[Dr. Addison.]

Sir D. MACLEAN

I hope I may appeal to the Minister of Health not now to proceed with this. We have just got 25 minutes. I have, I will not say an important speech, but I have certainly got a very earnest speech to deliver, and a large number of other hon. Members desire to join in the discussion. If we enter upon this now it cannot be with any real service at all, because my right hon. Friend cannot possibly get it to-night, and I do ask him to report progress on this matter, and to let us have a fair opportunity to discuss a most important Motion.

Sir E. CARSON

May I also appeal to my right hon. Friend to take this discussion now?

Sir F. BANBURY

May I say I have got an Amendment down? I do not say it is a very important Amendment, but, personally, I think it will have a very considerable effect on this Resolution, which has only appeared on the Paper quite recently.

The DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN

I called on Dr. Addison to move the Motion, and I allowed the right hon. Gentleman (Sir D. MacLean) to ask a question, but I oannot allow a discussion.

The MINISTER of HEALTH (Dr. Addison)

I have no wish to avoid any discussion which it is desired to raise on this question. The points which, I believe, my right hon. Friend opposite wishes to raise—whether they are in order or not, I cannot say—are certainly of considerable importance. We want to make as early progress with the Bill in Committee as we can. I am not aware there is any objection to the principle contained in the Resolution, but it does raise other important issues, which I quite agree, should be discussed. I have not the least desire to stand in the way of Members if they wish to have a proper opportunity for discussion, provided it is understood that we take the first opportunity to discuss the Resolution, and to get it through on that occasion.

Sir D. MACLEAN

It all depends, of course, on the time we get for it.

Dr. ADDISON

A reasonable time, of course, and on that understanding I am quite willing to move to report Progress.

Motion made, and Question, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again," put, and agreed to.— [Dr. Addison. ]

Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.