§ 45. Mr. MOREINGasked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to give the House an opportunity to discuss the report of the Joint Committee appointed to consider the petition of the State of Western Australia?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs the House is aware, the Dominions Office Vote has been announced for discussion on Thursday, and no doubt this matter can then be referred to.
§ Mr. MOREINGWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that, when the Joint Select Committee was set up, an undertaking was given that each House would be at liberty to consider the Report of the Committee and would have an opportunity, possibly, of rejecting it; and does my right hon. Friend consider that to relegate a matter like this, which is arousing very deep feeling among the people of Western Australia, to a general discussion on the Dominions Office Vote, is a satisfactory method of treating a petition presented by one of the States of the Empire?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy hon. Friend asked when an opportunity to discuss the report could be given, and I gave him in my reply the first date on which such a discussion, in my opinion, could take place. If he asks me whether it would be possible to give time later on, I would answer that it is extremely problematical in the present condition of the Business of the House, and I think it would be wise, perhaps, to take advantage of Thursday and then see what happens.
§ Mr. MOREINGWhile thanking my right hon. Friend, I should like to give notice that I shall raise this question at every possible opportunity on every possible occasion.