HC Deb 14 May 1935 vol 301 cc1542-5
Mr. LANSBURY

May I ask the Prime Minister what will be the business on Friday?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

On Friday it is proposed to take further consideration of the Housing Bill; and it might be for the convenience of the House if I state that Monday of next week will be given for the conclusion of the Report stage and Third Reading of the Housing Bill.

Mr. LANSBURY

On that subject, I should like to say, first of all, that we think we ought to have a full three days, and not two days and a Friday, for the Housing Bill. We are rather uncertain whether the Government of India Bill is going to be concluded by to-morrow, and, if it is not concluded, we think that that Bill should be taken on Friday, and that we should have a full day instead for the Housing Bill. Further, we should also like a full day for the Third Reading discussion, and we would ask that the arrangements be reconsidered in consultation through the usual channels.

Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFT

Before the Prime Minister replies, may I ask whether it is the intention to take the Government of India Bill after Eleven o'Clock to-night in the event of the Motion for the suspension of the Eleven o'Clock Rule being carried?

The PRIME MINISTER

I propose to move the suspension of the Eleven o'Clock Rule, but it is not for the purpose of having a late sitting; it is only to enable the House to pull up unfinished ends. As to the Housing Bill, we have given all the time that is possible in view of the pressure of business and of the desire, which I believe exists in all parts of the House, to get the Bill finished. If it meets the general convenience of the House, and the Report stage can be finished on Friday, the Government are perfectly willing to give the whole day on Monday for the Debate on the Third Reading of the Bill.

Sir H. CROFT

With regard to the Government of India Bill, may I ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that somethink like 40 pages have appeared on the Paper in the last three days in the name of the Secretary of State? I hope it is realised that the whole of the business would be completely up to date but for that fact and for the fact that 14 new Clauses were put down by the Secretary of State, also at a later stage.

The PRIME MINISTER

As I have said, and speaking to the point, I propose to move the suspension of the Eleven o'Clock Rule not for the purpose of having a late sitting, but in order to enable the business that has been commenced to be properly concluded.

Mr. LANSBURY

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not possible to reconsider the allocation of time for the Housing Bill, so that we

may have a full three days, instead of two days and a Friday. Some of the Amendments on the Report stage are very important from our point of view, and we prefer that they should be fully discussed on the Floor of the House. I would also ask the right hon. Gentleman if he thinks that there is any reason for the application of the "hurry up, be quick" sort of mind of the Patronage Secretary.

The PRIME MINISTER

I think the House recognises that, every Thursday when it falls to me to announce the business for the next week, we give the House a programme of the work which has to be done, and everybody is anxious to get the Housing Bill through. If the Report stage finishes on Friday, we will put no business down on Monday except the Third Reading of that Bill. Looking at the Order Paper, I think that that would really be quite sufficient to enable the business on the Paper regarding this Bill to be very adequately discussed.

Motion made, and Question put, That the Proceedings on Government Business be exempted, at this days' Sitting, from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House)."—[The Prime Minister.]

The house divided: Ayes, 254; Noes, 37.