HC Deb 22 October 1920 vol 133 cc1299-300
Lord E. TALBOT (Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)

I beg to move, "That this House at its rising this day do adjourn till Monday next."

I am also to state that there will be a change in the business. Instead of the Irish Bill already announced for Monday, we shall hope to take the Emergency Powers Bill which was introduced to-day.

Mr. HOGGE

May I ask the Leader of the House if he can tell us anything further than what was said last night with regard to the negotiations in respect of the coal strike? I often think that these things are asked and answered when so-called immediate Members who are concerned are supposed to be present, but we are all concerned in this, and we are very much concerned over this weekend as to what we ought to do in regard to our Parliamentary duties. I shall be glad if my right hon. Friend can say whether negotiations have actually been resumed, or whether there is any hope of them being resumed, and whether he thinks the railway strike will determine itself on Saturday night or Sunday, or any other information he feels he can give us?

Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)

I fully recognise the right and the propriety of the question being asked at this stage. It concerns not only every Member of the House, but the whole nation. I am very sorry, therefore, to say that I have absolutely nothing that I could add to what was said last night. Beyond that I cannot go, as it was made clear by the statement of my right hon. Friend that the position is a very grave one.

Mr. HOGGE

I suppose the right hon. Gentleman does not mean that negotiations have been broken off? Can he say that the Government have been continuing their negotiations since last night?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That question, I think, shows the difficulty of attempting to give information. My right hon. Friend carefully excluded the use of the word "negotiations." I can only say that the anxiety expressed by him to explore every avenue which could possibly lead to peace still exists, and nothing will be left undone by the Government to that end.

Question put, and agreed to.

The remaining Government Orders were rend, and postponed.

Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to Standing Order No. 3, till Monday next, pursuant to the Resolution of the House of this day.

Adjourned at Twenty-six minutes before Five o'clock.