HC Deb 02 December 1926 vol 200 cc1377-9
Mr. RAMSAY MacDONALD

Will the Prime Minister tell us what is the business for next week?

The PRIME MINISTER

On Monday:

Report and Third Reading of the

Housing (Rural Workers) Bill;

Public Health (Smoke Abatement) Bill [Lords].

Tuesday: second Reading of the

Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Bill [Lords];

Palestine and East Africa Loans (Guarantee) Bill.

Report and Third Reading of the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Bill [Lords].

Committee stage of the

Indian and Colonial Divorce Jurisdiction Bill [Lords];

Judicial Committee Bill [Lords].

Wednesday: Vote of Censure on the Government, to be moved by the Opposition.

Thursday: Committee stage of the Palestine and East Africa Loans (Guarantee) Bill;

Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Bill [Lords].

Further stages of the

Indian and Colonial Divorce Jurisdiction Bill [Lords];

Judicial Committee Bill [Lords].

On Friday, it is proposed to give time for the remaining stages of the Judicial Proceedings (Regulation of Reports) Bill, which is a Private Member's Bill.

If time permit on any day next week, we shall proceed with other Orders, including the remaining stages of Hills which have been reported from Standing Committees and any Lords Amendments that there may be.

Mr. MacDONALD

When do the Government propose that we should have a chance of discussing the revocation of Emergency Regulations just announced by the Home Secretary?

The PRIME MINISTER

That can be taken after 11 o'clock any night.

Mr. MacDONALD

I understand that, two days ago, before I was here, the Government promised to lay Papers upon the situation in China. Will those Papers be laid in sufficient time that we may have a discussion in the House upon them, should it be deemed desirable?

The PRIME MINISTER

I cannot answer without looking into it. I will let the right hon. Gentleman know.

Captain BENN

When the procedure under the Emergency Powers Act was origiNally followed, we used to have a Message from the Crown and an Address in reply. Those formalities, or opportunities for debate, were waived and we were merely given the Resolution which is required by the Statute. At that time I drew attention to the fact that this Resolution might be taken after 11 o'clock at night. Now I draw your attention, Sir, to the fact that the Prime Minister has announced that such a Resolution will be taken after 11 o'clock at night and, therefore, I ask you whether you could give any guidance to the House as to any opportunity we may have for insisting upon the proper procedure under this Act, which is a very serious Act suspending constitutional liberties.

Mr. SPEAKER

Nothing that is out of order has yet been brought to my notice. I do not think anything calls for my intervention.

Captain BENN

There is a practice of the House which I understand is the law. That practice of the House has been varied. There is no question that a Message from the Crown was always met by a humble Address in the old days. Is there no way in which we can demand the re-institution of the procedure which gave us an opportunity of debate?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

In this case there is no need for a Message from the Crown as there is no new Proclamation, but merely a revocation of certain Regulations, which I have been pressed to have revoked by hon. Members opposite.

Mr. SPEAKER

In any case, I am not inclined to give a ruling on a matter which is not presently before us.

Captain BENN

While agreeing with what the Home Secretary has said, that this is a most desirable Resolution revoking the Regulations, if we now allow it to be taken after 11 o'clock, next time we shall have a Resolution imposing Regulations after 11 o'clock.