HC Deb 21 May 1924 vol 173 cc2203-5
Captain WEDGWOOD BENN

May I ask the Lord Privy Seal which of the Orders he intends to take to-day? It will be within his recollection that Orders have appeared on the Paper which were not announced last Thursday, and Order No. 4—War Charges (Validity) (No. 2) Bill—is an exempted Order, and might keep the House very late.

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. Clynes)

The fourth Order on the Paper raises a question which has already been discussed, and we hope to complete the Committee stage of that Order to-night. With regard to the preceding Order of Supply, it raises a question upon which there is very nearly universal agreement.

Captain BENN

Although the right hon. Gentleman did not announce these Orders, does he intend to take the Committee stage of the Friendly Societies Bill first, and then the other four Orders, or will he omit Orders No. 1 (Auxiliary Air Force and Air Force Reserve Bill) and Order No. 3 (Supply Report, 12th May), in order that the War Charges (Validity) Bill may have a better opportunity?

Mr. CLYNES

The first Order is practically an agreed Bill, and has not been the subject of serious controversy. In these circumstances I do not think I should be pressed to make any change.

Mr. PRINGLE

But these are changes.

Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would be reasonable in the circumstances if he did not take Order No. 3? I have no desire to obstruct Order No. 4, but I think the right hon. Gentleman will feel that the request made by the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain Benn) is not unreasonable.

Mr. CLYNES

There has already been a Debate on Order No. 3, and on that account we are hopeful that there will be no cause for any lengthy discussion.

Captain BENN

We have no desire to obstruct any Order, but does the Deputy-Leader of the House not think it is inconvenient that, without any notice to hon. Members, his announcement of last Thursday should have been traversed and altered?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not want to appear to intervene unduly, but does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would meet the general sense of the House, and, on the whole, conduce to the smooth conduct of business if, while taking the first Order, he would postpone the third Order?

Mr. CLYNES

If this request is supported on the opposite side of the House, then we must observe it. We are not our own masters, and in view of the assurance that there is no desire to obstruct business, I quite agree with the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

May I offer one word of personal explanation. I hope the Deputy-Leader of the House does not think I was offering anything in the nature of a threat. I was trying to facilitate the passage of Order No. 4.

Mr. PRINGLE

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in future, when he makes a change in the order of the business of the House, give notice the day before, if possible, so that hon. Members interested in any particular Order may be in their places?

Mr. CLYNES

I do not think we have taken a course at all novel in this matter.