HC Deb 24 November 1927 vol 210 cc2068-70
Mr. RAMSAY MacDONALD

May I ask the Prime Minister what business he proposes to take next week?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)

On Monday and Tuesday we shall take the Committee Stage of the Unemployment Insurance Bill, and, if time permits, the other Orders on the Paper. The business for the remainder of the week, I regret I cannot announce at the moment.

Mr. MacDONALD

I hope the Prime Minister has not forgotten the Vote of Censure for which he partly promised a day?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am as anxious as the right hon. Gentleman to take it up, but he will remember that I said we must get the Committee stage of the Unemployment Insurance Bill out of the way first. The right hon. Gentleman asked me if there had been a bargain and at the moment I said "No," understanding that he meant whether there had been an arrangement, because I gave him at that time what I believed to be a day more than would be necessary to ensure ample time for the discussion of the Unemployment Insurance Bill. Unfortunately, I was mistaken in my calculation.

Mr. MacDONALD

Does that mean that we shall have the Vote of Censure on Wednesday?

The PRIME MINISTER

It depends on whether the Insurance Bill is finished. Unfortunately, Christmas is getting very near and it puts us in this predicament.

Mr. MacDONALD

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the fact that once this matter of last week is out of the way, it may be possible to get business expedited a bit?

The PRIME MINISTER

I can say nothing about that. I am as anxious as the right hon. Gentleman to take the Vote of Censure.

Mr. E. BROWN

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the issues involved in the Unemployment Insurance Bill are so big that two days are not sufficient for a full Debate?

Mr. W. THORNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cause of the delay in the Committee stage of the Unemployment Insurance Bill has been due to what I may call the "not good" rulings of the Chairman?

HON. MEMBERS

Order!

Ordered, That the Motion relating to International Peace and Disarmament have precedence this day of the Business of Supply."— [The Prime Minister.]