HC Deb 20 July 1937 vol 326 cc1971-2
46. Mr. Garro Jones

asked the Prime Minister whether he will accept the Motion for a Return, entitled "Resolutions, etc., by either House," standing in the name of the hon. Member for the North Division of Aberdeen?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. The information required is contained, with other information of a similar character, in the "Index to the Statutory Rules and Orders in Force," of which the latest edition relates to 31st July, 1936. The return for which the hon. Member asks would involve a very large amount of labour, and I am satisfied that no useful object would be secured by it sufficient to justify the time and labour involved.

Mr. Garro Jones

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the powers of another place have been greatly strengthened by means of powers exercisable in the form of Resolutions given to them under Statutes, and would it not, therefore, serve a very useful purpose for the right hon. Gentleman to acquiesce in this Motion which stands on the Order Paper in the names of Members of the three parties in this House?

The Prime Minister

I think the information can be obtained by hon. Members in the document to which I have referred.

Mr. Attlee

Is there any real reason why a return of this sort, asked for by Members of the different parties in this House, should not be given? Is there any really great labour involved in getting it out?

The Prime Minister

Yes, I am advised that there is.

Mr. Garro Jones

Is it because such a return would serve no useful purpose, in the Prime Minister's view, or that it would involve too much labour to prepare? Which is the actual reason?

The Prime Minister

The information can be obtained from the document to which I have referred the hon. Member, but I think the labour involved in getting it out would not serve a useful purpose.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is there any truth in the statement that the liberties and freedom of this House have been imperilled within the last six months owing to certain enactments that have taken place?

The Prime Minister

I have no knowledge of it.