HC Deb 14 March 1934 vol 287 cc365-7
Mr. MORGAN JONES

I see that the Prime Minister has a Motion on the Order Paper for the suspension of the Eleven o'Clock Rule. Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to tell us what purpose he has in view in moving its suspension?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

I am moving the suspension of the Eleven o'Clock Rule to-night in order to get the Committee stage of the North Atlantic Shipping Bill, which was postponed last night. It has come to my knowledge that there are hon. Members in all parts of the House who are desirous, with the Government, of getting this Bill passed without delay. It is a very urgent and important Bill, and we hope that hon. Members will cooperate with us in making it possible to have this Bill considered at a not exceptionally late hour.

Mr. JONES

Speaking for my hon. Friends on this side of the House, I would like to say that we shall be happy to co-operate with the Government for that purpose.

Mr. BUCHANAN

May I ask the Prime Minister why there has been this departure? We had agreed to go on with the Bill last night, and now we are taking it to-day. As one who did not delay the proceedings yesterday in any way—I took no part in them—I ask why there has been this departure from the programme of business as originally arranged?

The PRIME MINISTER

I think my hon. Friend was in the House last night and heard the explanation given by the Patronage Secretary regarding the announcement that had been made at the beginning of business last night, and of the Government's determination to stand by their promise, and, because it was found impossible to take the Bill and to keep that promise, the Government are moving the Motion referred to.

Mr. MAXTON

Are we to understand from that statement that the promise given yesterday by the Lord President of the Council, that the House would not be kept unduly late, is not being agreed to to-day?

The PRIME MINISTER

No, I hope that we shall get to this business reasonably, before Eleven, so that in order to finish the business the House will not have to sit unreasonably late; but that is not a pledge.

Mr. MAXTON

Does that mean that there is some understanding, which we are required to enter into, by which one of the few Supply Days available to the Opposition is to be cut down?

The PRIME MINISTER

Oh, no, I think the House is perfectly clear about that.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Previously, the Government announced a programme of business on their day. To-day it is the Opposition's day in connection with Supply, and we are now asked either to sit unduly late or to cut into the Opposition's time. I want to know why the Bill was not proceeded with yesterday as arranged, or taken on a day when Government business was the Order of Day.

The PRIME MINISTER

We do not propose to cut into any rights of the Opposition. We gave a pledge yesterday, which was carried out. Because we were unable to get through early the programme for yesterday which we had announced, we now have to move this Motion.

Mr. BUCHANAN

I wish to ask you, Mr. Speaker, or the Prime Minister, whether this is not a flagrant breach of the ordinary practice of the House? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I wish to ask whether there is any protection for us? A programme of business was announced for yesterday, and for no reason the Government change that order of business, and on short notice. I wish to ask whether the House has any protection from this state of affairs—that after an arrangement has been made to take an important Bill on a certain date a change should be made in that date at short notice and for no reason at all? I wish to osk, Mr. Speaker, whether you have any powers to defend the House from that kind of thing?

Mr. SPEAKER

I have no powers in the matter; and it seems to me that the hon. Member needs no protection.

Ordered, That this day, notwithstanding anything in Standing Order No. 14, Business other than Business of Supply may be taken before Eleven of the Clock, and that the Proceedings on Government Business be exempted, at this day's Sitting, from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House).—[The prime Minister.]