HC Deb 17 November 1927 vol 210 cc1125-7
Mr. MacDONALD

Will the Prime Minister be good enough to tell us the business for next week?

The PRIME MINISTER

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the Committee stage of the Unemployment Insurance Bill.

Thursday will be set apart for a Debate on International Peace and Disarmament, which the Opposition desire to initiate.

On Friday, the Resolution submitting for the concurrence of the House the names of the members of the Indian Statutory Commission will be discussed. It is necessary for the Government of India (Statutory Commission) Bill [Lords] to become law before the assent of Parliament can be asked to the personnel of the proposed Indian Commission. In all probability the Bill will reach this. House from another, place to-day, and, in order to allow of an early Debate on the Indian Commission, it is hoped to pass the Bill referred to during the early part of next week, reserving any discussion on the question until the Resolution is before the House.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Does the announcement involve depriving the House of any opportunity of discussing the Government of India (Amendment) Bill, which I understand is to be introduced on Monday?

The PRIME MINISTER

There is only one point in that Bill, on which I think there is unanimity in the House, and that is the putting forward of the date which appears in the original Act.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

May I press for an answer to my question? Will Members of the House be allowed that opportunity of discussing the Government's action in appointing a Commission of this nature at all?

The PRIME MINISTER

I think that that point must be for Mr. Speaker, and not for me.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

May I ask a question on the business for Thursday? The Prime Minister promised us in the summer, before the House rose, that a day would be given for a Debate on the Geneva Naval Conference. Now I understand that the Debate on Thursday is to be a general debate on Peace and Disarmament. May I ask the Prime Minister particularly if it is intended that the First Lord of the Admiralty will be prepared to make an explanation or statement on that occasion, and that it will be a proper opportunity of discussing the naval events at Geneva, without in any way dealing with the whole question of the League of Nations and disarmament through the League of Nations?

The PRIME MINISTER

We can, on this side, only deal with one Leader of the Opposition at a time.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Since when has the right hon. Gentleman objected to giving information on business to any Member of the House?

The PRIME MINISTER

The hon. and gallant Gentleman knows that I am always ready to do that. On the first point he raised I want to make it clear to him that we had discussed this matter with the Leader of his party, as I under- stood, and that the Debate will be one on Peace and Disarmament. It is obvious that the question the hon. and gallant Gentleman alludes to will be brought within the terms of that discussion.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Will the First Lord of the Admiralty give us some explanation?

Mr. MAXTON

How does the right hon. Gentleman expect the Opposition to deal with several Prime Ministers?

Ordered, That the proceedings on the Cinematograph Films Bill and on the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill have precedence this day of the Business of Supply."—(The Prime Minister.)