§ Mr. CLYNESMay I ask the Leader of the House whether any information can be given as to the further course of business to-day and as to the duration of the sitting of this House?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe right hon. Gentleman and the House are aware that, when we adjourned on Friday, the Government anticipated that we should be in full possession of the result of the discussion in Dublin by the time we met to-day, but it seems now possible at least, if not actually probable, that those dis- 407 cussions will not conclude until Christmas Eve. We do not think that it would be desirable that we should keep the House in session until that result is arrived at. We propose, therefore, that Parliament should be prorogued to-day by the King in Council. It will be prorogued until Tuesday, 31st January, but if it becomes necessary we can, of course, summon Parliament for an earlier date than that for which it stands prorogued.
§ Mr. HOGGEApart from that, the decision of the Government is to prorogue until 31st January. They will not wait to prorogue until after Christmas. I wish to ask whether it would not be the same if we adjourned until after Christmas, so that, at any rate, this Parliament, which has a very large share in the hopes for the success of this Conference, should be enabled to meet and discuss any events which may eventuate this week. What I am thinking of is that we understood from the Government that Dail Eireann might come to a decision to-day. Apparently it is going to take something like a week to come to a decision, and that decision may be favourable or unfavourable to the settlement. Similarly, those of us who are not in the inner ring read this morning that those in the Northern Parliament in Ulster are apparently making some objection to the Boundaries Commission. All these things may have some possible result on the settlement. Does not the Leader of the House feel that the mother Parliament, the governing Parliament, ought to be in a position, if necessary, to be called at once to discuss anything that might arise, and would it not be better, perhaps, if my right hon. Friend adjourns the House until after Christmas and until Dail Eireann has come to a decision? We could then be called together when that decision had been reached, and, if necesary, then prorogue. I think that that would be more consonant with the procedure and dignity of this House.
§ Mr. GWYNNEMay I remind the Leader of the House that as late as Friday last he said he thought it would be undesirable to prorogue until the 408 decision of the Dail was known? What has caused him to alter his position?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs I stated, I anticipated a decision the next day by the representatives of Southern Ireland then gathered in Dublin. I do not think it is very consonant with our dignity that we should go on adjourning from day to day, waiting for a decision from the body across the channel. What that decision may be I have no greater means of knowing than any hon. Member of this House, nor have I any further information as to what is proceeding elsewhere. All I can say is that I think the most convenient course for the House is that we should now prorogue and not meet again before 31st January, unless it is necessary. Of course, that makes no difference to the convenience of those who do not propose to appear on the date to which the House is adjourned, but it makes a good deal of difference to officers of the House and some others who must attend if the House merely adjourns instead of being prorogued. On the other hand, if it should become necessary to meet before 31st January, Parliament can be summoned within six days of a Proclamation being issued. I think that that meets all that is necessary.