HC Deb 25 November 1926 vol 200 cc538-40
Mr. CLYNES

(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether he can now state the decision of the Government in regard to the terms and continuance of the Emergency Regulations.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have carefully considered whether it would be possible to regard the recent emergency as at an end, but I am advised that until by district agreements or other means a much larger proportion of men is in work than at present, it would be inadvisable to dispense with Emergency Regulations.

The Government therefore propose to ask the House to pass them to-morrow in their present form, but I am authorised to say that at the earliest possible moment such Regulations as may be no longer needed will be revoked by Order-in-Council.

Mr. LEE

Is the Home Secretary aware that the extra police, as far as Derbyshire is concerned, are all cleared out?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I am glad to hear that, and I congratulate Derbyshire on the fact.

Sir HENRY SLESSER

Has the right hon. Gentleman satisfied himself that there is any power to revoke these Regulations by Order-in-Council?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I am satisfied, and my legal advisers take that view, but if the hon. and learned Member can convince me that it is not legal to do so, I shall he glad to discuss the matter with him and, if necessary, I will ask for a Resolution of the House, but I do not think that will be necessary.

Mr. LAWSON

Are we to take it that the only relaxations in this matter are to be for people who are making fortunes out of plundering the consumers?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The Regulations for the distribution of coal will certainly continue.

Mr. BATEY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Friday is a short day, and that there will not be sufficient time to discuss the Regulations?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I think if we all exercise a self-denying ordinance we shall have time.

Mr. BATEY

No. We shall not.

Mr. SEXTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to enforce his own Regulation dealing with the fixing of the price of coal?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The enforcing of the Regulations relating to coal rests with my hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary for Mines. I will mention to him my hon. Friend's question.

Mr. STEPHEN

Is the Home Secretary aware that there are many of us on these benches who feel that he has used these Regulations very unfairly, and that the time on Friday will be very limited, because of the indignation there is on these benches in regard to the action of the Home Secretary in making these Regulations an instrument of the Tory party in various parts of the country?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a political argument.