BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 25 April 1923)

§ The CHANCELLOR of the EX-CHEQUER (Mr. Baldwin)
I beg to Move That the proceedings on the Second Reading of the Housing etc. (No. 2) Bill have precedence during this day's sitting. This Motion is one which, if carried, will enable the Members of the House to adjourn at a reasonable hour to-night. It is very desirable that we should get the Second Reading of the Housing Bill to-night, and I understand that by general agreement that can be secured, provided surrender is made of the rights of the private Members who were successful in the ballot for this evening. I am sure that the House is grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackley (Mr. Briggs) who has agreed to waive his privilege to-night, as also have done the hon. Members for Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook) and Cambridge (Sir D. Newton). They are quite willing to subordinate their own privileges to-night to what they believe to be the general convenience of the House, and I hope very much that the House will see fit to pass this Motion without a Division.

§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
I feel that it may appear ungracious, after what the right hon. Gentleman has said, but, nevertheless, it is necessary, I think, always to protest when private Members' rights are interfered with in this House. This is such an occasion, and I think it is necessary that some protest should be made. I do not know why the Government cannot arrange its business so 476 that there is no interference with private Members' privileges. The hon. Members who have Motions down for to-night are only three of many who took part in the Ballot. I myself put down a Motion, but I was not successful, and it is extremely unfair to ask them to waive their rights in this matter. It is no answer to say that the right hon. Gentleman has approached these hon Members, and that they have waived their privileges. At any rate, it is for hon. Members of this House, private, back bench Members, to stand up for their rights, which I propose to do on this occasion. I shall have to put the House to the trouble of a Division, for if we are going to give way to the Government every time without a struggle, we shall end by having no rights left for private Members.

Mr. T. THOMSON
If this time is given to private Members, do the Government propose to proceed after 11 o'clock with the Financial Resolution on the Paper, which would be covered by the Motion, also on the Paper, to suspend the. Eleven o'Clock Rule?

§ Mr. BALDWIN
No, I do not propose to move the Motion suspending the Eleven o'Clock Rule, if this Motion he assented to. With regard to the question as to the Financial Resolution, it will, I hope, be taken some time at the beginning of next week.