HC Deb 22 March 1923 vol 161 cc2765-8
Mr. PRINGLE

I desire, Mr. Speaker, to ask you a question in relation to a question that I sought your permission to ask by Private Notice. I do not propose to repeat the question. I merely mention that it related to a communication sent by people deported from this country, and interned without trial— [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must not, in another manner, put a question which is disallowed as a Private Notice question.

Mr. PRINGLE

I am merely indicating—[HON. MEMBERS: "oh!"]—I did not intend to put the substance of the question. I merely wanted to point out that the communication from the persons, out of which it arose, was sent on Tuesday last, and I desire to ask if it is impossible to get an oral answer before Tuesday next, and if, in your view, seven days is an appropriate time to wait for an answer affecting the personal liberty of one of His Majesty's subjects?

Mr. SPEAKER

If the hon. Member put down a question, he should be able to get an answer on Monday.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is it not the case that the questions to the Home Secretary comes last in order on Monday, and, in consequence, will not be reached?

Mr. SPEAKER

Perhaps if the hon. Member and other hon. Members put fewer supplementary questions, more questions on the Paper would be answered. The fact that an hon. Member anticipates a question may not be reached is no reason for putting in a question by private notice.

Mr. PRINGLE

Does that not enter into the consideration of urgency or otherwise in a matter of this kind?

Mr. SPEAKER

I must not regard that matter at all.

Captain TERRELL

Is it not possible for the hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. Pringle) to write a letter to the Home Secretary? He would get a reply in that way.

Mr. SPEAKER

I am afraid a good many Members are not content with that course.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is it to be understood to be the view of this House that, in a matter affecting personal liberty and public interest, a letter to a Government Department is an adequate method of dealing with such a matter?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is entirely a matter about which the hon. Member must form his own opinion.

Colonel Sir CHARLES BURN

I wish to ask your advice, Mr. Speaker, regarding the questions to the Home Secretary. His name is down to answer questions on Tuesday and on Thursday. Many of us would have liked to have put a verbal question to him— possibly a supplementary question. I have had a question down on two occasions, and it has never been reached. Can it not be arranged so that the Home Secretary can answer questions at an earlier period on one day of the week?

Mr. SPEAKER

That would be quite agreeable to me if it could be arranged, but I do not control the order of the questions on the Paper. If the hon. and gallant Member will make representations through the usual channel, and, if it be possible, I have no doubt it will be done.

Mr. SHORT

Might we get an answer from the Prime Minister on that matter?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Colonel Leslie Wilson)

May I say that representations have already been made to me regarding questions to the Home Secretary, and I hope that, after Easter, they will be second on the Paper on Thursday. Therefore, opportunity will be given to get answers.

LEASEHOLD (ENFRANCHISEMENT BILL).

Order for Second Reading To-morrow read, and discharged: —Bill withdrawn.

Leave given to present another Bill instead thereof. — [Major Malone.]

LEASEHOLD ENFRANCHISEMENT (NO. 2) BILL,

" to enable leaseholders of houses whose original leases were granted for a period or term of not less than thirty years to purchase the freehold estate and such other outstanding interests affecting the property on such equitable terms as, failing agreement, may be determined by the Minister of Health for the time being, "presented accordingly, and read the First time; to be read a Second time To-morrow, and to be printed. [Bill 66.]

PRIVATE BILLS (GROUP A).

Mr. GERSHOM STEWART reported from the Committee on Group A of Private Bills; That the parties promoting the Essex County Council (Barking Bridge) Bill had stated that the evidence of Superintendent Bassom, Metropolitan Police, New Scotland Yard, was essential to their case; and, it having been proved that his attendance could not be procured without the intervention of the House, he had been instructed to move that the said Superintendent Bassom do attend the said Committee on Monday next, at half-past Eleven of the clock.

Ordered, That Superintendent Bassom, Metropolitan Police, New Scotland Yard, do attend the Committee on Group A of Private Bills on Monday next, at half-past Eleven of the Clock.

Mr. GERSHOM STEWART reported from the Committee on Group A of Private Bills; That, for the convenience of parties, the Committee had adjourned till Monday next, at half-past Eleven of the Clock.

Report to lie upon the Table.

SELECTION (STANDING COMMITTEES).

Sir SAMUEL ROBERTS reported from the Committee of Selection; That they had discharged the following Member from Standing Committee B: Captain Arthur Evans; and had appointed in substitution: Sir Ryland Adkins.

STANDING COMMITTEE C.

Sir SAMUEL ROBERTS further reported from the Committee; That they had discharged the following Members from Standing Committee C: Brigadier-General Makins and (added in respect of the Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons under Eighteen) Bill) Sir James Remnant.

Reports to lie upon the Table.

MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.

That they have passed a Bill, intituled, "An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to agricultural holdings in Scotland." [Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill [Lords.]

Also, a Bill, intituled, "An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to agricultural holdings in England and Wales." [Agricultural Holdings Bill [Lords.]

And also, a Bill, intituled, "An Act to enable Messieurs Thomas Cheshire and Company, Limited, to issue transferable certificates and warrants for the delivery of goods; and for other purposes. "[Thomas Cheshire and Company, Limited (Delivery Warrants), Bill [Lords.]

THOMAS CHESHIRE AND COMPANY, LIMITED (DELIVERY WARRANTS), BILL [Lords].

Read the First time, and referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills.