§ Mr. LANSBURYCan the Prime Minister state what business will be taker next week?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)The Opposition Amendment to the Address will be moved to-morrow and concluded on Monday. It is hoped that the Debate on the Address will be finished on Monday night. The following business will be taken for the remainder of the week:
Tuesday: London Passenger Transport Bill, Committee stage.
Wednesday: Private Members' Motions.
Thursday: London Passenger Transport Bill, Committee stage.
Friday: Private Members' Bills.
On any day, should time permit, other Orders will be taken.
§ Mr. MAXTONMay I ask whether any provision has been made in the arrangements for the Debate on the King's Speech for the discussion of Amendments other than the Amendment put down by the Official Opposition?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo. We were hoping that the Official Opposition Amendment would be sufficient. It is always the duty of the Prime Minister to regret that so few of these Amendments can be taken.
§ Mr. MAXTONHas it not invariably been the custom that one additional Amendment, either one by Government supporters on the back benches or some other Amendment, is given a certain amount of time in the discussion on the King's Speech?
§ The PRIME MINISTERPerhaps I went a little too far in what I said. It is a matter which is within the discretion of Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. MAXTONCan the Prime Minister tell us the reason for taking the Committee stage of the London Passenger Transport Bill on the Floor of the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is perfectly obvious that a Bill like this involving so many financial and public interests could not reasonably be sent to a Committee upstairs. It must remain on the Floor of the House.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs it not most unusual to take a Bill which is local in its nature and which partakes of the nature of Private Legislation, on the Floor of the House, and to keep the whole House engaged in the discussion of the details of such a Measure?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe matter has been most carefully considered, and it is quite clear that the decision is the right one in view of all the interests involved and the unusual nature of the Bill.
§ Mr. MAXTONCan the Prime Minister give us any estimate of the time that it is proposed to spend on this Bill, and do the Government contemplate any Guillotine Motion on the subject?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe do not contemplate any Guillotine Motion. If we get the Committee stage finished on Thursday night we shall make good progress, but I am not sure that we can manage it.
§ Mr. MAXTONMay I be allowed to enter my protest against the time of the House being frittered away, when unemployment is the overriding consideration, on a Bill which can have no other effect except to increase unemployment?