BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 7 May 1925)

Mr. J. RAMSAY MacDONALD
May I ask the Prime Minister whether he proposes to ask the House to sit to-day until all the Budget Resolutions are passed?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
I certainly hope it may be practicable to secure all the Resolutions.

Mr. MacDONALD
Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is most inconvenient and improper to discuss such important subjects as the duty on silk in the middle of the night, followed by the Income Tax very early in the morning—probably about six o'clock?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
I do not think that more than a day and a half has been given to the Report stage of the Budget Resolutions for a very long time. If it were the desire of the House, it would be perfectly possible to take the Silk Duty at an early stage to-night.

§ Mr. SNOWDEN
Is the Prime Minister aware that there has been no Budget in recent years which has contained such immensely controversial matters?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
Whatever controversy there may be, I think it is largely owing to the action of the right 1151 hon. Gentleman who asked me the question, and I think also that the controversy is very much more marked in this Chamber than in the country.

§ Mr. RUNCIMAN
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Silk Duties do not affect only what is known as the silk industry, but every textile industry in the country, and a number of others as well; and is he also aware that, in every part of the country that is interested in the making of textiles in any shape or form, people are anxious to know what the views of the Government are, and what is the justification for the imposition of these new duties in their present form?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
That seems to me to be an adequate reason for discussing the Resolutions at the earliest possible moment, in order that the trades affected may have the advantage of an announcement by the Chancellor of Exchequer.

Captain BENN
Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into account the fact that several hours will be consumed in dividing upon the Amendments, apart altogether from the Debate in the Chamber—two or three hours in dividing on the Amendments?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
That must largely rest with the hon. and gallant Member's friends.

Mr. MacDONALD
Arising out of that, and anticipating the announcement which I shall ask for in a minute about next week's business, would it not be possible, supposing we could come to an arrangement to put two days of next week's business into one or a fraction over, arranging three days' business for two days next week and so giving us an extra day, say next Monday—which is the last day, I understand—in order that we may have a proper and public discussion on these important subjects?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
As the right hon. Gentleman knows, I am always prepared to consider arrangements if they are practicable, and if consultation takes place through the usual channels. If he asks me, as I think he did implicitly to give the business for next week, perhaps I had better do so. 1152 On Monday we shall take the Second Reading of the Rating and Valuation Bill.
On Tuesday we shall take the Report stage and Third Reading of the Church of Scotland (Property and Endowments) Bill. I very much hope it may be possible, having regard to the discussion that has taken place on that Bill, for us to get also the Second Reading of the Criminal Justice Bill, which is a Bill very much overdue, and one which I think the House generally would like to get to a Committee.
On Wednesday, we shall- take the Second Reading of the Teachers (Superannuation) Bill, and, if time permits, other Orders on the Paper. At a quarter past eight there is a Private Member's Motion.
On Thursday, the business will be Committee of Supply—Ministry of Labour Vote.

Mr. MacDONALD
May I repeat my question now? Supposing that it is possible to come to an arrangement by which this business could be got through next week, giving in addition one day— which, of course, must be Monday—to discuss the Budget Resolutions, would the Government have any objection to coming to that arrangement?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
I would much rather that that should be discussed when there is time to discuss it, but I am perfectly open to an arrangement, if such an arrangement is possible, by which we do not lose any of the Orders I have mentioned.

§ Lieut.- Commander KENWORTHY
Before we finally pass from the subject—and we are all interested on this side of the House—taking the business for next week, would it not be better for the Criminal Justice Bill, which has been well discussed, to go through in the small hours of the morning, rather than smuggling through this Silk Tax at I do not know what hour to-morrow morning?

Captain BENN
May I ask the Prime Minister exactly where do we stand? Does he mean to say he will be in a, position, shortly after the usual consultation, to make an announcement as to whether we are to sit all night or not?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
Should any agreement be come to I shall, of course, at once make an announcement.