HC Deb 18 March 1926 vol 193 cc603-4
Mr. RAMSAY MacDONALD

Will the Prime Minister be good enough to tell us what business he proposes to take next week?

The PRIME MINISTER

Monday: Report stage of the Civil Services Vote on Account.

Tuesday: Report stage of Navy Estimates and the Navy Excess, and of the Army Estimates and Civil Services Excesses: Ways and Means Resolutions, Report.

Wednesday and Thursday: Second and Third Readings of the Consolidated Fund Bill.

Mr. DENNIS HERBERT

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us anything as to the date when it is proposed to take the Second Reading of the Electricity Bill? Many of us are extremely anxious to study the somewhat difficult and technical questions of which we have not got very much knowledge at the present time.

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, I hope it will be on the Monday or Tuesday of the week after next, as near as I can tell my hon. Friend.

Mr. HERBERT

Before Easter?

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, before Easter.

Mr. HERBERT

Could not the right hon. Gentleman possibly postpone it until after Easter?

Mr. HARRIS

I hope he will not.

colonel GRETTON

Owing to the complexity and technicality of the arrangements, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the decision to have this Second Reading before Easter?

The PRIME MINISTER

I felt that a knowledge of the technicalities would be far more valuable on the Committee stage than on the Second Reading, as I think the Committee stage is the one to which hon. Members should devote their time. My object was to get the Bill into Committee, where it will require a great deal of examination, at the earliest possible date.

Mr. HERBERT

Does my right hon. Friend think himself, from his own knowledge of the Bill, that it is possible for Members to form any understanding of the principle of the scheme proposed unless and until they have been able to get information on the technical details of it?

The PRIME MINISTER

I should be very sorry to attempt to form an estimate of what hon. Members can do.

Mr. THURTLE

Could the Prime Minister make it possible for the discussion on recent occurrences at Geneva to take such a form as would enable the House, if it thought fit, to record its opinion on the matter?

The PRIME MINISTER

That rests with the Leaders of the Opposition.