HC Deb 10 November 1936 vol 317 cc831-2

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."—[Captain Margesson.]

10.56 p.m.

Viscount WOLMER

May I appeal to my right hon. Friends not to press the Second Reading of this Bill at the present juncture simply for the reason that last night some of us objected to the Bill being taken after 11 o'clock because the report of the Special Commissioner had not yet been delivered to the House of Commons. That report appeared in the Vote Office at seven o'clock to-night, and it is a volume of over 200 pages. I submit to my right hon. Friends that it would only be treating the House of Commons with proper respect if they would keep the whole question as to whether the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill containing this particular Measure should be introduced or not until the House of Commons has had a reasonable opportunity of gathering the salient features of the report of the Special Commissioner. It is simply because some of us feel that this is such a grave problem that it deserves the most earnest, careful and thorough consideration by the House of Commons and ought not to be dealt with in this manner. I ask the Government not to bring the Second Reading forward until the House has had an opportunity of considering the report. I am not saying for a moment to-night that the Government are not perfectly right in the policy upon which they have apparently decided, but none of us has had an opportunity of forming an opinion upon that question, because we have not been able to study this very important and very long document. Therefore, I appeal to my right hon. Friends not to press this matter to-night, but to bring it forward upon another occasion a day or two hence, and then, I believe, they will have no particular difficulty.

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Captain Margesson)

As the Noble Lord and the House fully realise, the Second Reading of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill is not an effective stage. It was in order to get through to the Committee stage, when the subject can be fully debated, that the Government have moved the Second Reading of the Bill to-night, but if the House does not wish—and I take it that that is the wish of the House—the Second Reading to be taken to-night, I beg to move, "That the Debate be now adjourned."

Question, "That the Debate be now adjourned," put, and agreed to.

Debate to be resumed To-morrow.

The remaining Order was read, and postponed.