HC Deb 30 July 1937 vol 326 cc3531-2

Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House, at its rising this day, do adjourn till Thursday, 21st October; provided that if it is represented to Mr. Speaker by His Majesty's Government that the public interest requires that the House should meet at any earlier time during the Adjournment, and Mr. Speaker is satisfied that the public interest does so require, he may give notice that he is so satisfied, and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and the Government Business to be transacted on the day on which the House shall so meet shall, subject to the publication of notice thereof in the Order Paper to be circulated on the day on which the House shall so meet, be such as the Government may appoint, but subject as aforesaid the House shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to the day on which it shall so meet, and any Government Orders of the Day and Government Notices of Motions that may stand on the Order Book for the 21st day of October or any subsequent day shall be appointed for the day on which the House shall so meet."—[The Prime Minister.]

11.46 a.m.

Mr. Tinker

Before you put the Question, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for your guidance. The Motion states that His Majesty's Government, if they think it necessary, may ask you to call the House together at an earlier time during the Adjournment. I wish to ask you what would be the position if a large number of hon. Members, or the Opposition, wanted to call attention to any particular point? What method would they have to adopt? Would they have to approach the Government, through the Prime Minister, to find out whether or not the Government would give consent for the Opposition to approach you? After all, we have been given a certain status as an Opposition, judging by the Act which was passed and which provided for a payment to the Leader of the Opposition. Will you be so good as to inform me how we should stand if we desired to call the House together?

Mr. Speaker

If the hon. Member is asking me that question, the answer is that it is for any hon. Member to approach the Government if he so desires.

Mr. Tinker

It would be for the Prime Minister and the Government to approach you or not, as they thought fit?

Mr. Speaker

That is in the terms of the Motion.

Question put, and agreed to.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."—[Captain Margesson.]