HC Deb 29 July 1926 vol 198 cc2323-7
Mr. MacDONALD

I notice the Prime Minister says nothing as to how long the Summer Adjournment will last. May we take it quite definitely that the House will be asked to meet again somewhere about the 30th August if the dispute in the coal trade still lasts, in order to pass the Regulations under the Emergency Powers Act?

The PRIME MINISTER

If, unfortunately, it should be the case, the 30th August will be the date.

Captain WEDGWOOD BENN

Will any other business be taken then except the Regulations under the Emergency Powers Act?

The PRIME MINISTER

I do not think so.

Mr. MacDONALD

May I ask a question with regard to Tuesday's business, and the Second Reading of the Housing (Rural Workers) Bill? When will that Bill be circulated?

The PRIME MINISTER

I hope, to-night.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

May I put a question which I attempted to put earlier to the Colonial Secretary? Will there be another opportunity of discussing the guarantees for the loans to the East African Colonies and Palestine before the House rises, and, if there is no other opportunity, will the House lose control over these guarantees and be unable to discuss them again?

The PRIME. MINISTER

No, I am not quite certain—I have had no notice

of the question—but I am under the impression that no further steps will be taken in this matter before we adjourn. It will come on in the autumn, and nothing will be done until this House has given its sanction.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I do not ask this on my own behalf. There are two loans, one of £4,500,000 for Palestine, which were not referred to at all in the Debate, on which many hon. Members of all parties desire to speak and have had no opportunity of doing so.

The PRIME MINISTER

All that is down so far is the Money Resolution, and I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman will find what he wants in the Bill. We have not finished any stage yet.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

I listened very carefully to the answer of the Prime Minister as to business, and that particular Money Resolution was not part of the business proposed for next week. I hope it will not be now inserted in the programme for next week.

The PRIME MINISTER

I am much obliged for that information. No, it will not. The whole of the business in connection with this Money Resolution and the Bill will be taken in the Autumn.

Motion made, and Question put, That other Government Business have precedence this day of the Business of Supply, and that the Proceedings on the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill be exempted, at this day's Sitting, from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House)."—[The Prime Minister.]

The House divided: Ayes, 228; Noes, 113.