HC Deb 15 July 1931 vol 255 cc464-6
Mr. STANLEY BALDWIN

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether it is his intention to ask the House to take any steps with reference to the payment of salary to, and the provision of travelling facilities for, Members who may in future be suspended from the Service of the House?

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, Sir; I propose that facilities should be given for a Motion on this subject at an early date.

Mr. BALDWIN

I assume that the Motion will be a Government Motion, and, if I approach the right hon. Gentleman through the usual channels, perhaps he will be able to arrange for an early day. I can assure him that, so far I and my Friends are concerned, we will do all that we can to expedite it.

The PRIME MINISTER

I should like to consult the right hon. Gentleman and others on this matter. At the moment we have decided to give facilities for a Motion on this subject, and I assume that it will be possible to find time.

Mr. STEPHEN

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will also give facilities for a Motion in connection with the payment of salaries to Members who are not in the House for long periods? [Interruption.]

The PRIME MINISTER

I think that one reform at a time is sufficient.

Mr. W. J. BROWN

In view of the statements which have been made that the exigencies of Parliamentary time do not permit of a discussion on the cotton industry, are we to take it that, in the view of his Majesty's Government, this trivial business takes precedence over a serious matter like that?

Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

Will the Prime Minister's Motion deal with the case of the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern), who has been suspended from: the service of the House, as regards the question of his salary and travelling facilities, having regard to the fact that he has greatly aggravated the offence by a subsequent speech?

Mr. McSHANE

Am I right in understanding the Prime Minister to say that suspension of salary would be attempted if it were merely a question of an hon. Member being suspended, or suspended with disorder; and, if so, may I ask him this question: Is it not true that there are many on this side of the House to whom a stoppage of salary like that would be a serious disadvantage, while on the other side it would not be felt at all?

Mr. GEORGE HARDIE

rose

HON. MEMBERS

Order!

Mr. HARDIE

On a point of Order. May I ask if the Rules of the House permit this statement to be made without the clarifying explanation being given? For instance, is this to be a Government Motion, or is there to be a free vote of the House?

The PRIME MINISTER

I think that hon. Members ought to wait until the

Resolution is down. We propose to give time for it. It certainly will be a decision of the House of Commons when the decision is taken. A subject like this ought to be dealt with, not as a party subject—[HON. MEMBEBS: "Hear, hear!"]—but as a Parliamentary subject.

Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the Prime Minister or the Leader of the House is always regarded as the guide and spokesman of the House?

Mr. LEIF JONES

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the placing of a disability upon Members of this House is a very serious matter, calling for, probably, a prolonged Debate? The question how far the House is entitled to tell hon. Members how they should behave themselves and what they ought to do, except on matters of order in the House, is, I submit, a very far-reaching matter.