§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Motion on Distress and Unemployment put down by the Opposition, is of so wide a character as to permit the discussion of several questions which now exercise the minds of Members, will he be prepared to allow the Motion to be moved on Wednesday and the Debate to be continued over Thursday, provided that the Third Reading of the Horticultural Products Bill is taken formally on Wednesday afternoon?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, I have observed that the Motion is drafted in wide terms, and would admit of a discussion on many questions which are of particular interest to hon. Members in all parts of the House. The Government have no objection to the Censure Motion being moved on Wednesday if Government business can be expedited. The Debate could then be continued and brought to a conclusion on Thursday.
§ Mr. HANNONHas the Prime Minister's attention been called to a Motion on the Paper signed by a large number of right hon. and hon. Members of this House in relation to the protection of the iron and steel industry, and the cotton 1525 industry of Lancashire, and will he consider giving time for the discussion of that Motion?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understood that those subjects would be included in the Debate on the two days.
§ Mr. HANNONHow is it possible to include in a Motion of Censure moved by the Leader of the Opposition a full discussion upon this industry in the present state of the country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Motion of Censure is so wide that these subjects can be raised within its scope. I think it will be for the convenience of the whole House that the Debate should be conducted within the scope of the terms of the Motion itself, rather than that further time should be devoted to a repetition of the Debate.
Sir F. HALLWould it not be better for the Prime Minister to agree if the other Motion finishes early on Wednesday—it is not necessary to have day and a-half on the Vote of Censure—to utilise the time on Wednesday for a discussion on the iron and steel industry? Will the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the general feeling of the House, grant time for that purpose on Wednesday?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think it is perfectly obvious to every old Member of this House that the Debate on this Motion of Censure, once started, will not finish early.
Sir F. HALLThe Prime Minister has not understood my suggestion. It is that the Vote of Censure should be taken on Thursday, as originally arranged, thereby saving time on Wednesday which could be utilised for an examination of the question of the iron and steel industry.
§ Mr. HANNONIf a Motion relating to an important national matter is put on the Paper, signed by a. larger number of Members of this House than the whole Opposition combined, why cannot the Prime Minister find time for it?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the Prime Minister realise that there is far more interest in the country in the question of stabilising the currency, and the whole currency question, than there is in this question of iron and steel?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is my embarrassment. The rule and practice of this House, which I hope will never be overlooked, is that, when the Opposition table a Motion of Censure upon the Government, the Government give the Opposition the very first available opportunity of moving it. In deciding the business as I have just announced, I have kept that in view. It would be quite impossible to give time for a Motion before I give my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition 'an opportunity of moving his Vote of Censure.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSWhy should it be assumed that all criticism of the Government must necessarily take the form of a Vote of Censure? Cannot one criticise the Government without taking part in a Vote of Censure?
§ Mr. TINKERCannot the Prime Minister call his party together—it is a National party—in order that they may settle these matters in their party meetings?