§ 35. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Prime Minister whether the Prime Minister of a Dominion is consulted before a person domiciled in that Dominion is recommended for an honour?
§ 37 and 33. Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Lord Privy Seal (1) when he will give an opportunity for the discussion of the Motion standing on the Paper for the appointment of a Joint Committee to consider the present methods of submitting names of persons for honours for the consideration of His Majesty;
2313 (2) whether the lists of names of persons recommended for honours by the heads of the chief Departments are supplemented by other lists drawn up by other members of the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government are quite ready to discuss the methods of submitting names for honours. There have already been several Debates on the subject in this House in recent years and one discussion in this Parliament. Our difficulty arises out of the state of public business, which is very much in arrears and will involve the prolongation of our sittings well into August with the certainty of an Autumn Session. But the Government are prepared to find facilities for a discussion as soon as the state of public business permits.
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONWill an opportunity be given of discussing the Motion standing on the Paper in the name of 180 Members in all parts of the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat may afford the best opportunity of discussing the question. I will consider it.
§ Mr. MARRIOTTWas the Prime Minister of South Africa consulted specifically with regard to the offer of a recent peerage?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy lion. Friend is referring to a matter which will be discussed on this Motion.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIs there not a simple plain question on the Paper which can be answered, whether the Prime Minister of a Dominion is consulted or not?
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWill the right hon. Gentleman take the opportunity of denying here and now that Sir J. Robinson was given a peerage for a financial consideration?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWill the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of when a day will be given or when a question on that point cart be put down with any prospect of being answered?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe question put by my Noble Friend and my hon. Friend behind is one of the questions which, I think, will be discussed on that occasion, and the reply will be given by the Government, but if I begin to give an answer to one particular part of the question I should have to go by way of 2314 question and answer into the whole matter, which will be discussed to-day in another place. But I am quite prepared to have the whole matter discussed. With regard to the time, I have not yet had time to consult those who are largely responsible for the arrangement of business. I understand that it will be impossible to have a discussion next week on the subject, but perhaps a question on the subject can be put next week, and then the Leader of the House will be in attendance and give an answer.
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI will put down a question next week.
§ Mr. RONALD McNEILLIs it not a fact that the same question has already been put to the Prime Minister of South Africa, and that he says that he made no recommendation and knew nothing about it?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think that we must not have further questions on the subject now.