HC Deb 28 February 1924 vol 170 cc686-8
Mr. BALDWIN

May I ask the Lord Privy Seal what business it is proposed to take next week?

Mr. CLYNES

The business for next week is as follows: Monday: Supplementary Estimates. We shall take the Report stage of the Supplementary Estimate for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Report of the Resolution to be taken to-day in Committee of Ways and Means. Tuesday: Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Bill, Second Reading; Local Authorities (Emergency Provisions) Bill, Second Reading; Trade Facilities Bill, adjourned Debate on Second Reading. Wednesday: Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Bill, Committee and other stages; Trade Facilities Bill, Committee. If time permits we shall take the War Charges (Validity) Bill, Second Reading. Thursday: Supply: Civil Services Vote on Account, Vote for the Treasury and subordinate Departments.

Mr. BALDWIN

With regard to the last business mentioned, I take it that it is quite clear that on the Treasury Vote we can discuss the administration of the German Reparation (Recovery) Act?

Mr. CLYNES

I understand that that is the object of the arrangement.

Sir K. WOOD

When will the text of the Local Authorities (Emergency Provisions) Bill be circulated?

Mr. CLYNES

It will be available to-morrow.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Are we to understand that the whole of the outstanding Supplementary Estimates, Committee Stage, are to be taken to-night?

Mr. CLYNES

No.

Commander EYRES-MONSELL

I wish to raise a question in connection with a Motion for the suspension of the Eleven O'clock rule, which is on the Paper in the name of the Prime Minister. I understand that money is required now for compensation in connection with the Diseases of Animals Act, and that it is necessary to bring in a special Consolidated Fund Bill in order to pay this money out as soon as possible. To do that, it is necessary to bring in two Resolutions in Committee of Ways and Means before the Bill can be produced, and it is also necessary to get one stage to-night, and I understand that that is the reason why the Motion is on the Paper. I wish to ask the Government whether they will give an assurance that nothing else will be taken in connection with this Motion except what appertains to the Diseases of Animals Act.

Mr. CLYNES

I will give a reply to this question—a satisfactory one I think—in submitting the Motion which stands in the name of the Prime Minister.

Mr. SPEAKER

I would point out that the Motion dealing with the Eleven O'clock rule is not debatable, and now is the time to make a statement in reply to the question.

Mr. CLYNES

The answer to the question is in the affirmative. There is no intention to take any business other than the business referred to, and indeed, if there were, we should rather hesitate, at this stage, to try it. It is essential that this business should be passed through to-night, for purely financial reasons, so that it may be completed before the 31st March.

Mr. W. THORNE

I wish to ask the Leader of the House whether he knows that this Motion is very distasteful to many of us, and whether the Government are prepared to consider the advisability of taking additional time at this end of the day, and not at the other end. I do not know whether that would mean that the rules of procedure would have to be altered.

Mr. SPEAKER

That matter is to be debated on a Motion of which notice was given yesterday, and we cannot deal with it now.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I did not hear what the right hon. Gentleman said regarding the Trades Facilities Bill.

Mr. CLYNES

On Tuesday the adjourned debate on the Second Reading of that Measure will be taken.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Will it be taken at a reasonable hour?

Mr. CLYNES

I hope it will.

Captain BERKELEY

We have received a memorandum of the Bill relating to the Treaty of Peace with Turkey, but not the text of the Bill itself. When may we expect to receive it?

Mr. CLYNES

At this moment I can only announce the business for next week.

Ordered, That the Proceedings in Committee of Supply and in Committee of Ways and Means be exempted, at this day's Sitting, from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House)."—[Mr. Clynes.]