HC Deb 10 July 1924 vol 175 cc2621-2

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the draft of a Special order proposed to be made by the Board of Trade under Section 10 of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, on the application of the Emsworth Gas and Coke Company, Limited, which was presented on the 7th July and published be approved."—[Mr. Alexander.]

Mr. G. BALFOUR

Surely some explanation will be given by the hon. Gentleman in charge of this matter? Is there any reason why this Order should be passed at this time without something being put before the House?

Mr. ALEXANDER

The Order has been agreed to by all the parties concerned.

Mr. BALFOUR

I submit it is not sufficient to say that the Order has been agreed to by all the parties concerned. Some reasons should be placed before the House to show why, as a matter of public policy, the Order should be approved.

Mr. ALEXANDER

The hon. Member above all others in the House knows the procedure in regard to Orders of this kind, and the point he is endeavouring to raise is only pure obstruction.

Mr. BALFOUR

I would like to submit that it is not a matter of obstruction. I am interested in Orders of this kind, and I have objected in this House to Orders in which I am interested, because no personal interest of any Member of this House should stand in the way. And it rests with Ministers on all occasions to submit to this House the reasons as to why these Orders should be passed, without regard either to the existence of any member of the public outside or any individual Member of this House.

Ordered, "That the Debate be now adjourned."—[Mr. Alexander.]

Debate to be resumed To-morrow.

The following Motion stood -on the Order Paper in, the name of Mr. ALEXANDER: That the draft of a Special Order proposed to be made by the Board of Trade under Section 10 of the Gas Regulation Act, 1920, on the application of the Reading Gas Company, which was presented on the 26th June and published, be approved.

HON. MEMBERS

Object!

Mr. ALEXANDER

May I say that we were prepared to give a certain concession to an hon. Member on the other side, who asked for one of these Orders, and we can hardly be expected to do that if we are getting deliberate obstruction of this kind.

Mr. SPEAKER

I do not like the use of the word "obstruction." It does not facilitate business.

Mr. BALFOUR

rose——

Mr. SPEAKER

There is no Question before the House. I have not put the next Order.

The remaining Orders were read and postponed.