HC Deb 09 May 1927 vol 206 cc175-8

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."—[Commander Eyres Mansell.]

Sir GERALD STRICKLAND

I beg leave to call attention to a matter of Imperial interest arising out of a reply given, or rather not given, on Tuesday to a request for information as to the consideration given to representations made on behalf of a delegation of the Imperial Parliamentary Association. I beg to submit that any individual Member of this House has a right to receive a hearing in regard to any question or letter or representation made to Ministers of the Crown on public affairs, but when these representations are made on behalf of a number of Members, and particularly on behalf of delegations of an authoritative character, they do deserve a more complete answer than the

"no answer which was given on Tuesday. My right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury fully and courteously answered a portion of the question referred to his Department. The question was addressed to the Secretary of State for War and was on a matter of very considerable importance. I do not wish to deal particularly with the nature of that question but to the importance which must be given, if the Empire Imperial system is to be developed, to delegations and to representations made by delegations of the Empire Parliamentary Association. Efforts have been made for many years to put on paper a draft of the Imperial constitution. They have hopelessly failed, but the self-governing genius of the British people is beginning to develop empirically a solution of that important question. Conferences are being held and have been held for years here in London, the centre of the Empire, at which the statesmen from overseas come and make their representations to the Imperial Government. I remember the first of these conferences in 1887. I believe I am the sole survivor of those who were summoned to that conference. Out of that a system has developed of returning those visits. Members of this House and of the other House are invited to cooperate in that movement, and you, Sir, with your vast knowledge of every Member of this House select those who are to pay the return visit.

Notice taken that 40 Members were not present.

Mr. SPEAKER proceeded to Count the House. [Interruption.]

Mr. SPEAKER

Order, order!

Sir A. SINCLAIR

Has the Chief Whip the right to intervene from outside the Bar?

Mr. SPEAKER

Order, order!

Sir A. SINCLAIR

On a point of Order. Has the Chief Whip the right to intervene from outside the Bar?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Baronet has no right to make his interjection.

Sir A. SINCLAIR

I apologise if my interjection was disorderly. On a point of Order. I ask whether the Chief Whip has the right to intervene from outside the Bar of the House. I ask for your ruling on that point of order.

Mr. SPEAKER

I heard no intervention except that of the hon. Baronet.

Sir A. SINCLAIR

It is very disrespectful to an old Member.

House counted; and 40 Members not being present.

The House was adjourned at Seventeen Minutes after Eleven of the Clock until To-morrow.