§ Mr. RAMSAY MacDONALDCan the Prime Minister tell us what will be the business for next week?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROn Monday and Tuesday the Finance Bill, Report stage.
Wednesday: Supply; Foreign Office Vote.
Thursday: Finance Bill, Third Reading, and, if time permit, other Orders on the Paper.
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEIs the Prime Minister in a position to state when the papers in regard to the pact will be in the hands of hon. Members, and whether the papers will include the original proposal made by the German Government to the Allies?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will answer the last part of the question first. I believe that is so. I am glad to say that all the relevant papers will be published in the White Paper, which will be available in the Vote Office this evening.
§ Colonel GRETTONIn regard to the business down for to-day, may I ask the Prime Minister how long he proposes to keep the House to-night in view of the fact that we have had three consecutive late sittings this week.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope the House will not need to sit beyond its normal period to-day.
§ Colonel GRETTONIs it intended to keep the House late if hon. Members desire reasonable discussion upon the Bills which are on the Order Paper to be taken to-day?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe first four Orders on the Paper printed in italics.
§ Colonel GRETTONThe Prime Minister has not answered my question. I desire to ask whether it is intended to keep the House late if there is a desire for reasonable discussion on the four Orders?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think for this reason the House will require to sit late.
§ Sir J. NALLOne of the Orders down for to-morrow is the Public Health Bill which amends the Public Health Act. That Bill, as amended, has not been printed and is not available in the Vote Office. As it involves matters of controversy on questions of public importance, ought it to be proceeded with tomorrow in view of the fact that the amended Bill is not yet available?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere is no rule on the matter, but I think it is understood that a reprinted Bill should be in the hands of Members before the Bill is taken on the Report stage. It may be that the Bill will be in the hands of Members, but, of course, I do not know.
§
Ordered,
That other Government Business have precedence this day of the Business of Supply, and that the Proceedings on Government Business be exempted from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House).—[The Prime Minister.]