Captain BENNI want to raise a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, about one of the Budget Resolutions. The only reason for raising it today is that it may be necessary to put down a considered Motion in respect of it, and today, in view of the change of business, will be the only opportunity of doing so. It relates to the third of these Resolutions, in regard to the New Import Duties, and the point I wish to put is this: It is an old established practice of this House that complicated questions shall be divided, that is to say, that two issues may not be put in one question, and if that practice is important in relation to ordinary business, I submit that it is far more important in relation to Motions which impose taxation. Now I am well aware that these New Import Duties have been renewed from year to year in one Resolution, and I am aware that protest has been made, but that the protest has been overruled, but my submission to you, Mr. Speaker, is that this is not the renewal of any existing duties, but the imposition of new duties, duties that I know have been in operation for some time beforehand. Therefore my submission to you is that it is not consistent with the practice and the privilege of this House for four totally divergent duties to be imposed in one Resolution, and that is the point of Order that I wish to put.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI understand that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to what are generally known as new import duties
§ Mr. SPEAKERI did not know the hon. and gallant Member was going to raise this point.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThose duties have been for a good many years—since 1915, I think —continued in a single Clause.
§ Mr. SPEAKERAnd what is at present proposed is a repetition of that practice?
Captain BENNMy point is that in effect this is not a continuation of any duties, but an imposition of new duties.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member asked me some question about one of the Budget Resolutions. I am not quite clear as to his point.
Captain BENNI was asking you whether you would consider it proper, when the Resolution is put tomorrow, to order that it be either recommitted or divided, so that the practice may be preserved of having separate issues put in separate questions.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think I ought to take a little time to look into the question. It comes quite fresh to me, and will require some consideration.
Captain BENNI apologise for having put the question without notice. I have explained that it is due to the arrangement of business. The reason I ask is. would it be in Order to place on the Order Paper today a considered Motion, that is to say, on consideration of the Resolution of Ways and Means, New Import Duties, to move that it be recommitted, for certain reasons?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not think that would be in Order. We have a Resolution which has been passed by a Committee of the whole House, and it will come to us as a Report from the Committee of the whole House; but I will consider that point, along with the others.
Lieut.CommanderKENWORTHYWith reference to the House having passed that particular Resolution in Committee, I would point out that it is simply read from the Chair, and we have not seen it in print. I hope that will be taken into consideration.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe must bear in mind that the Committee of Ways and Means, which is a Committee of the whole House, is our primary authority in taxation matters—a principle which we all ought to uphold.
Captain BENNOn that point, is it not the fact, as my hon. and gallant Friend says, that of course we have no opportunity of seeing the Motion before it is put, and that, therefore, a duty rests on the shoulders of the Chairman of Ways and Means to decline to put a Motion which infringes the privileges of the House?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am quite sure that any Chairman of Ways and Means would regard that as one of his first duties.