HC Deb 26 June 1924 vol 175 cc580-1
50. Mr. SCURR

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists among hon. Members regarding the allocation of time for Debate between Members of the Front Benches and other Members of the House; and whether he will appoint a Committee to inquire and report as to the best method of allocation of time so as to secure that private Members have full opportunities for taking part in Debate?

Mr. CLYNES

I can only speak for the Members of the Government Front Bench, who are fully sensible of the desirability of making their speeches as brief as circumstances permit: bat I have no doubt that right hon. Gentlemen opposite and below the Gangway will be equally prepared to co-operate in this matter. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think that the appointment of a Committee would serve the purpose my hon. Friend has in view.

Mr. E. BROWN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the recent Debate on the Housing Bill not one word was said about the state of rural housing, although numbers of Members wished to raise that question

Mr. CLYNES

The question I am asked relates not to quality, but to length.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is it not the case that it is not in accordance with the recent practice of the House that when a Bill originates in Committee the Minister should make a long speech in moving the Second Reading, but should formally move it and reserve himself for a reply to the Debate?

Mr. CLYNES

The hon. Member was the first recently to complain of the brevity of a speech made by the President of the Board of Trade.

Mr. PRINGLE

The right hon. Gentleman must be aware that he is introducing a totally irrelevant matter. May I ask him whether on the irrelevant occasion to which he refers it was unnecessary for the Minister to open, but if he did open be should have done something better than he did.

Mr. BECKER

Is it not the sense of Members generally that speeches should be restricted to 15 minutes?

Mr. W. THORNE

May I ask you, Sir, whether it is in order for any hon. Member of the House to impute motives?

Mr. SPEAKER

No, but I do not discern an imputation here.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

May I put it to you, Sir, that this matter should be carried a little further? We now have three Front Benches and a swollen list of Privy Councillors. I think some sort of Committee under your Presidency might look into the question of the length of speeches and the order of Debate.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is now making a speech at the wrong time.