Captain BENNMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he intends that the Lords Amendments to the Prevention of Eviction Bill shall be considered by this House so that the Bill may be passed before the Whitsuntide Recess?
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. Clynes)We were anxious that the Bill should pass into law before the Whitsuntide Recess, but the Amendments from the Lords have not yet been received. They could not in any circumstances be considered by this House earlier than to-morrow. I understand they cover points of the most acute controversy, as shown in this House when similar questions were considered here. This House does not determine when the House of Lords will rise or re-assemble and, reviewing the whole circumstances, it appears to us to be quite impossible to arrange for the consideration of these Lords Amendments and for the passage of the Bill into law this side of the Whitsuntide Recess.
Captain BENNis the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Lords Amendments were made on 29th May, and are well known to Members of this House, being, in fact, printed and available; and in these circumstances could he not take the Lords Amendments either to-night, inasmuch as the Third Reading will be given in the other House, or failing that, as first Order to-morrow, while the Lords are still sitting, so that the Bill may be passed into law before Whitsuntide?
§ Mr. CLYNESI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that we share his anxiety to get through these Amendments, but t must have regard to the desire of other Members of the House with respect to the items of business announced for each day. I should be willing to put the consideration of the Lords Amendments to this Bill on the Order Paper for to-morrow—not as the first Order, because that would be contrary to the wishes of other hon. Members with respect to other business—but I must repeat that, even if to-morrow we were to dispose of the Amendments, they would have to go back to another place, and it would, in those circumstances, be utterly impossible to place the Bill on the Statute Book before the rising of the House for the Whitsuntide holidays.
Captain BENNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that yesterday, in putting a question, I warned him that such a situation might arise, and asked him to put down a Motion which would enable him to take the Lords Amendments to-day? Would he not take them as first Order to-morrow in order. If there be disagreement, it can be communicated to their Lordships while they are still sitting.
§ Mr. CLYNESI think the qualifications in my reply yesterday showed that I was not in need of any warning, but I cannot alter the circumstances or control them.
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLMay I ask when the Motion for the, Whitsuntide Adjournment will appear on the Order Paper?
§ Mr. CLYNESTo-morrow.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs it the intention of the Government still to proceed with the Small Debts (Scotland) Bill tomorrow, and will it be the first Order?
§ Mr. CLYNESAs I indicated, the order of business to-morrow is not changed.
§
Ordered—
That the Proceedings in Committee on Housing (Financial Provisions) [Money], and on Report of Supply [12th May], and on Report of Supply 128th May] he exempted, at this day's sitting, from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House)."—[Mr. Clynes.]