HC Deb 09 December 1937 vol 330 cc564-7
45. Mr. Liddall

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an early date for the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Lincoln?

["That, in view of the fact that at Madrid on 6th December, 1937, notwithstanding he bad, before leaving this country, given an undertaking not to take part in any activities liable to be interpreted as inconsistent with His Majesty's Government's policy of nonintervention, the Leader of His Majesty's official Opposition the Right Honourable Gentleman the Member for Limehouse) stated publicly, When we return to London, administered by Socialists and workers, we shall convene a public meeting to inform the people about the facts of the situation and unbeaten invincible Republican Spain,' this House declares that the Right Honourable Gentleman the Member for Limehouse is guilty of a breach of faith and is unfit to again be granted a visa to Spain."]

The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)

My hon. Friend's Motion refers to the conduct of a Member of this House, and I think that my proper course is to defer my reply until the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition is able to be in his place.

Mr. Greenwood

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the reproof that he has given to the hon. Gentleman opposite—

Mr. Liddall

Wait until Monday.

Mr. Greenwood

—In raising a question of the honour of a Member of this House in his absence, I should like to ask him whether his answer postponing a reply to the hon. Gentleman really implies any reflection upon my right hon. Friend or suggests that there is a charge which he has to meet; and may I ask further—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech"]—whether he is aware that my right hon. Friend has most emphatically repudiated—because I spoke to him on the telephone this morning—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech"]—

Mr. Speaker

I cannot allow the right hon. Gentleman to make a speech on this matter at this time.

Mr. Greenwood

I was doing my best to conform with the Rules of the House. I was asking the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that my right hon. Friend has emphatically repudiated any suggestion that he has in any way infringed any undertaking he gave before he went to Spain?

The Prime Minister

My answer is not intended to convey any reproof to my hon. Friend or to express any opinion on the merits of the question which he has raised. I considered that I was merely acting in accordance with what has been the general practice of this House in the past.

Mr. Thorne

May I ask for your guidance. Sir? If any hon. Member of this House feels aggrieved in consequence of something done by another individual in this House or outside, is he entitled to put down a Vote of Censure on him?

Mr. Speaker

If the hon. Member asks me a general question of that kind, it is difficult to answer; but any hon. Member can put down a substantive Motion about anything.

Mr. Thurtle

May I ask you to guide the House as to whether you consider such a practice desirable?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a matter upon which it is for me to express an opinion.

Mr. David Grenfell

May I ask you, for the guidance of the House, whether there would be any limit to the number of questions of this kind that individuals—vindictive individuals—might choose to put upon the Order Paper?

Mr. Speaker

As far as I know there is no limit.

Mr. Sandys

Has not the Leader of the Opposition a special responsibility?

Mr. Stephen

Is not the matter left to the intelligence and good sense of Members?

Mr. Garro Jones

Further to that point of Order. May I ask you why you have just ruled that an hon. Member may put down a substantive Motion about anything, and whether that means also that the Prime Minister may be questioned upon such matters; and, if that is so, the limits you draw with regard to the subjects upon which the Prime Minister may be so questioned?

Mr. Speaker

That is quite another matter. The question that the hon. Member asks me relates to the Rules governing the putting of Questions. The Prime Minister is now being questioned on a substantive Motion which is quite a different matter.

Mr. Garro Jones

Yes, Sir, but may I put a further question to you, with great respect? While expressing no opinion on the merits of the hon. Member's question if a Motion is put on the Order Paper by an hon. Member, does that entitle him to question the Prime Minister upon it and thereby to raise at Question Time all manner of subjects, and take up an endless amount of the time of the House?

Mr. Speaker

The only question submitted on the Paper is whether the Prime Minister will give time for the discussion of the Motion?

Mr. Buchanan

Before you interfere with any rights of Members may I ask that you will not do it simply because somebody has been injudicious enough to put a foolish Motion on the Order Paper?

Mr. Speaker

I can only say that I shall try to carry out my duty to the best of my ability.