§ 46. Mr. McENTEEasked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to make such arrangements as may be necessary to enable the salaries of Members of Parliament to commence to accrue from the date of their election?
§ Mr. CLYNESI would refer—
§ Mr. McENTEEMay I draw your attention, Sir, to the fact that, owing to the plans which are being formulated round me for the defeat of the Government, we cannot hear a word that is being said.
§ Mr. CLYNESI would refer my hon. Friend to the ruling given by the late Speaker on the 26th February, 1917, of which I am sending him a copy. It has been held that Members cannot begin their duties till they have taken the Oath, but when any considerable period elapses between an election and the first meeting of Parliament, there may be substantial injustice done. The matter can be discussed on the appropriate Vote or on the Appropriation Bill.
§ Mr. McENTEEIn view of the fact that it is becoming the practice to-day for Members of Parliament to commence their duties from the day of their election, would it not be well to reconsider a decision that was probably applicable to those days but is not applicable to-day?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIn view of the fact that the ruling given by the late Speaker was given in view of conditions applying in Ireland when the Sinn Fein Members decided not to come here at all, will that rule not now be abrogated as the conditions that called it forth do not exist?
§ Mr. W. THORNEI should like to ask your ruling, Sir, on the matter.
§ Mr. SEXTONIs my right hon. Friend aware that this alleged salary is largely expended in railway fares and hotel expenses?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs there not one Member of the House who was lately interned in Ireland and has not taken the Oath, and would not this apply to him?
§ Mr. R. MURRAYIs my right hon. Friend aware that when this Measure was first passed the then Chancellor of the Exchequer gave, a ruling that the salaries should be paid immediately the return of the election was indicated?
§ Mr. SCRYMGEOURWould or would it not be possible for the returning officer to administer the Oath at the time of acceptance?
§ Mr. BECKERIn view of this discussion, will the right hon. Gentleman consider cancelling the salaries of Members of Parliament altogether?
§ Mr. CLYNESIn reply to these numerous questions, I need say only two things. One is that the closing part of my answer shows clearly that an opportunity will hereafter arise for discussing the whole question. The second is that no one can regard the money that is paid as a salary, but as part payment towards expenses.
§ Mr. PRINGLEAs this arises on a ruling of your predecessor, Sir, may I ask whether you will reconsider that ruling, in view of the altered conditions?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am quite prepared, as far as it concerns me, to do so, but no doubt it is also partly a matter for the Treasury. As far as I am concerned, I am perfectly ready to reconsider the question.