§ 45. Mr. TINKERasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the position created when notices of Motions are taken on going into Committee Supply; that they cause a breach in the discussion on the Vote of Supply before the Committee, make the business disjointed, and break the sequence of Debate; and whether he will give consideration to see if a more convenient arrangement could be made?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir; my attention had not been called to this matter. The usual procedure was followed this year in moving Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on first going into Committee of Supply on the Navy, Army and Air Estimates, as in previous years.
§ Mr. TINKERNow that the matter has been brought to the attention of the right hon. Gentleman would he read the Debate and see if some arrangement can be made 2085 through the usual channels to get a definite time when these Motions shall be called so that we shall be aware of them?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is quite outside my province.
§ The PRIME MINISTERMonday and Tuesday: Government of India Bill, Committee stage.
Wednesday: It is proposed to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on first going into Committee of Supply on the Civil and Revenue Departments' Estimates and to consider Class 7, Votes 3, 7A and 8, which are Building Votes.
Thursday and Friday: The Government of India Bill, Committee stage.
On any day, if there is time, other Orders may be taken.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWith reference to the business for Wednesday, I should like to ask the Prime Minister whether it will be possible to keep Mr. Speaker in. the Chair after the Amendment which is to be moved has been disposed of in order to have a little time in which to discuss the position of local authorities arising out of the postponement of the second appointed day under the Unemployment Act?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should like to have a, little further notice of that question. It is impossible to say how long the Debate on the Amendment may run, but, so far as I am concerned, I have no objection to the matter referred to by the right hon. Gentleman being raised, but beyond that I cannot say.
§ Sir P. HARRISCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Iron and Steel Order will be taken for confirmation I Will time be provided so that it may be thoroughly discussed, and not taken after Eleven o'Clock?
The PRIME MINISTRI have not announced it at the moment, but it will be announced before it is taken.
§ Mr. LANSBURYI take it that, if it be possible, arrangements will be made to give some time to that subject.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLDoes not the Prime Minister think that devoting four days in a single week to the Government of India Bill is too much and is forcing this particular Measure through at a rate which hampers those Members who wish to have every Clause adequately discussed I Does he not think that a procedure which takes four days in a single week upon this subject is hardly in harmony with our arrangement under which this great Measure is passing through the House without the use of the closure or guillotine of any kind, and will he not consider if he cannot possibly arrange to give three days instead of four to this matter? We are most anxious to assist the progress of the Bill within the limits agreed. I put it to the right hon. Gentleman that four days in a week is unduly long.
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe are very anxious to co-operate—if the right hon. Gentleman has no objection to this method of expressing myself—with him to maintain the harmony which has been kept up to now, but we must get on. We are doing pretty well. We would like to have four days' debate on the matter next week, because, as I have said, we really must get the Bill through in time for its proper consideration in another place.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLEven the co-operator should make his contribution. As far as I can gather, the contribution of the Prime Minister will only take a verbal form.