§ Mr. RAMSAY MacDONALDWould the Prime Minister be good enough to tell us what business he proposes to take next week?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is hoped that the Motion to continue the Emergency Regulations will be disposed of on Friday.
In that event, we shall, on Monday, consider the Boards of Guardians (Default) Bill.
Tuesday: Finance, Bill, Report stage.
Wednesday: Supplementary Estimates in Committee.
Thursday: Remaining stages of the Boards of Guardians (Default) Bill, and the Report stage of the Supplementary Estimates.
Friday's business will be announced later.
If time permit on any day next week, we shall take other Orders on the Paper.
§ Mr. MacDONALDIs it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to take the Second Reading of the Boards of Guardians (Default) Bill on Monday?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.
§ Mr. MacDONALDIs the Prime Minister not aware that this raises some very fundamental questions of local government and of the constitutional relations of this House to local governing bodies?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir, that is so, but the Bill is a very short one, and I am arranging that all its stages shall be taken on the Floor of this House, so that there will be ample time for its consideration.
Captain BENNWill the remainder of the Report stage of the Finance Bill be taken the week after?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWhen we get through the stages up to Tuesday, I do not think there will be very much time needed, and I hope to make it possible in the following week.
§ Mr. BATEYWith regard to the business for to-day, is the Prime Minister still determined to push the Coal Mines Bill through its final stage to-day? Is he 1345 aware that only three days have been allowed for discussion—two for the Second Reading and one for the Committee stage. [Interruption.] That is not sufficient. Only 21 mining Members have had the privilege of speaking, and only 10 other Members of this party. I want to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of that, he does not think that he ought not to-day to press for the final stage of the. Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERTo-day will be the fourth day of the discussion. The Bill only contains one Clause—[HON. MEMBERS: "Two!"]—and I think there has been ample discussion.
§ Mr. BATEYI want to apologise to you, Mr. Speaker, and to say that I hope nothing that happens will be taken by you as a reflection upon yourself. We are determined that the Coal Mines Bill is not going through its final stage to-day, and I want to warn the Prime Minister that, unless he is prepared to say he will not take the final stage to-day, no word from that Bench will be allowed to be uttered.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI can only imagine that that is directed at me—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWhether the hon. Member intends it or not, the duty for which the House has placed me here is to conduct the business of the House, and as long as I have the confidence of the House I shall do so.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYFurther with regard to the business, may I ask which Supplementary Estimates are to be taken on Thursday, and also whether any arrangements have been made for debating the Treaty with Turkey.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot answer that question now.
§
Motion made, and Question put,
That other Government business have precedence this day of the Business of Supply"—[The Prime Minister.]
§ The House divided: Ayes, 267; Noes, 127.