§ 45. Lord EUSTACE PERCYasked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to recommend action by the House on the report of the Select Committee on Procedure, or, if not, whether he can give time for a Debate on the subject?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would refer my right hon. and Noble Friend to the reply which I gave on the 8th February in reply to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander).
§ Lord E. PERCYAs I think the Prime Minister's reply to that earlier question indicated that he had no immediate intention of making proposals to the House, will he consider the second part of my question, that is, as to the desirability of giving an opportunity for a Debate in this House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should be very glad to provide an opportunity for a Debate in the ordinary way, but I am sure that my right hon. Friend will see that a Debate would not be of much use unless the Government had considered the matter very fully.
§ Lord E. PERCYIs the Prime Minister aware that there is considerable feeling in this House that the report of the Select Committee is wholly inadequate, and does he not think it desirable that the Government should know the views of the House before they finally consider the question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is because we feel the report is somewhat inadequate that we are very anxious to give some consideration to the matter before it comes before the House.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the more conservative section of this House prefers that its procedure should remain as it is?