HC Deb 21 June 1928 vol 218 cc1762-3
Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

I should like to ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker, as to what our position is with regard to Standing Committees the proceedings of which are cancelled without due notice to or consultation with the Opposition. We are being asked to assist as much as we can in getting Government business through, but, in the case of a Committee which we had adjourned from Tuesday last until this morning, we received a notice by post this morning saying that it had been cancelled, although we had no information at all that it was going to be cancelled, and we have postponed our other engagements in order to be present at the meeting to-day.

Mr. WILLIAM NICHOLSON

Perhaps I may be allowed to explain. I took the Chair in Standing Committee C the other day, in the absence of the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Morgan Jones), and it was then decided, at the conclusion of the day's proceedings, to meet, if possible, to-day. I was told on Tuesday evening that it was doubtful whether Members of the Committee would be able to attend on Thursday, and, consequently, as the Chairman for the time being, I suggested that the Committee should be postponed until next Tuesday. A notice of the postponement was posted in the House yesterday afternoon, and, if the hon. Member for Hillsborough (Mr. A. V. Alexander) had noticed it, he would have seen that the Committee had been postponed until next Tuesday. I may add that there are many precedents for the postponement of Committees in the same way. I am quite sure that it was for the general convenience of Members of the House.

Mr. ALEXANDER

On the point as to the general convenience of Members of the House, I ask for your protection, Mr. Speaker. There has been no consultation with any Members of the Opposition, and we had no idea of the postponement until we received the notice by post. The House only met for a brief period yesterday, when we were engaged in other absorbing business, and we have had no adequate notice. We can hardly be expected to facilitate Government business in Committee if we are not consulted in regard to these matters.

Mr. RILEY

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman who acted as Chairman of the Committee last Tuesday whether he considers the explanation he has given to be an adequate one, in view of the fact that he knew on Tuesday night, and had all day yesterday, and yet it was only when we came this morning to attend the meeting of the Committee that we learned at the Post Office that it had been postponed?

Mr. NICHOLSON

The hon. Member for Caerphilly was not here yesterday, and I have had no opportunity of communicating with him; and it was very doubtful whether I should have been able to take the Chair to-day.