HC Deb 13 March 1931 vol 249 cc1549-50
Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR

Can the Prime Minister make any announcement in regard to business for next Thursday?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

Yes. The subjects for discussion on Thursday, 19th March, when the Report stage of the Vote on Account will be taken will be the Post Office and the Mines Department of the Board of Trade.

Sir A. SINCLAIR

In view of what happened at Question Time yesterday, can the Prime Minister say whether there is anything unusual in the allocation of this day to the Liberal Opposition?

The PRIME MINISTER

A statement was made yesterday that in a previous Parliament where there was an Opposition section co-operating with the Govern-went, they had no right to call for a subject of Supply. As I happened to be the channel of communication when the Labour party was in Opposition, I have most lively recollections of the negotiations that used to precede the allotment of days to us.

Commander Sir BOLTON EYRES MONSELL

Is the Prime Minister not aware of the analogy of the Nationalist party? I think he will find that two days were allowed to that party in the year, and those were on the Irish Estimates. Therefore there is no true analogy at all. My suggestion is that what is happening to-day is that the Liberal party are running with the hare and hunting with the hounds.

The PRIME MINISTER

That is only partly true. One case which I have turned up to refresh my memory was on the 13th March, 1907, when the Report stage of the Vote on Account was taken and a reduction was moved by a Member of the Irish Nationalist party, and again on the 18th March, 1908, when a similar course was adopted. My recollection is, that when I acted for the Labour party below the gangway, an independent party co-operating with the Government and keeping it in, generally we had our days allotted to us.

Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has received any intimation that a reduction will be moved on Thursday, so that we may all be prepared for that occasion?

The PRIME MINISTER

If the right hon. Gentleman will keep his eye on the Order Paper, he will see.

Sir K. WOOD

I will.