BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 3 June 1924)

§ Mr. BALDWIN
May I ask whether there is any alteration of the business for to-day?

§ Mr. CLYNES
Representations have been made through the usual channels that there is a desire to carry over the discussion on the housing proposals to tomorrow, and, therefore, instead of taking a vote at 11 o'clock this evening, the Government propose to report Progress, on the understanding that the vote is taken on the Resolution to-morrow, not later than 8.15. To ensure Shat this shall be done, and to secure the passage of the Report stage of the three Supplementary 1074 Estimates which are urgently required, we propose to move to-morrow the suspension of the Eleven o'Clock Rule. With respect to the Amendments on the Paper to the Money Resolution, that is a matter entirely within the discretion of the Chairman of the Committee, but there is, I believe, a general desire that Amendments should not be taken until to-morrow.

Captain BENN
Can the right hon. Gentleman say on which day he proposes to deal with the Lords Amendments to the Prevention of Eviction Bill?

§ Mr. CLYNES
I cannot at this moment.

Captain BENN
Will it be before Whitsuntide?

§ Mr. HOPE
Is it a contributory cause of the alteration of business that during the early part of to-morrow afternoon the Government cannot count upon the attendance of their supporters?

§ Mr. CLYNES
No, Sir.

§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON
Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he proposes to take the Report stage of the Resolution? Is it proposed to take it as the first Order on Thursday?

§ Mr. CLYNES
I should not, without notice, like to be pressed to answer that question at this moment.

§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSON
Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that he cannot introduce the Bill if he has not got the Report stage of the Resolution?

§ Mr. CLYNES
Certainly.

§ Mr. AYLES
May I ask the Leader of the House whether, if a question is put down on Thursday, he is prepared to give an answer as to when the Prevention of Eviction Bill, which has been returned from another place, will be taken?

§ Mr. CLYNES
I hope to make an announcement on Thursday.

§ Mr. LANSBURY
Will my right hon. Friend also consider doing away with the Whitsun holidays, in view of the congestion of business and the fact that the Bills which are coming before Parliament are of so much importance to millions of people in the country?

§ Mr. CLYNES
The Government cannot adjourn over the Whitsun holidays 1075 against the will of the House. It is a minority Government and the majority must have its way.

§ Mr. LANSBURY
Will the Government consider the advisability of not putting down a Motion for the Adjournment, but leaving it to someone else to put it down?

Captain BENN
is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Thursday will be too late for him to decide about the Prevention of Eviction Bill, because it will probably be necessary to suspend the Eleven o'clock Rule by notice on Wednesday if he intends to take it on Thursday? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the urgency of passing this Bill, will he give a general assurance that he will take all necessary steps that the Lords Amendments shall be considered before the Whitsun Recess?