§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, in pursuance of the provisions of Section 157 of the Government of Burma Act, 1935, praying that the Government of Burma (Adaptation of Laws) Supplementary Order, 1937, be made in the form of the draft laid before Parliament."—[Lord Stanley.]
§ 8.49 p.m.
§ Mr. BennI am very sorry to have to raise this point again, but it is really a very interesting point, and I am not raising it in a vexatious way at all. This is not an Order but an humble Address, and each House must vote its own humble Address. I do not disagree with what my hon. Friend the Member for Caerphilly (Mr. M. Jones) said about it being done; no doubt it was done, but I am still in the dark why we should start to vote an humble Address and then adjourn the Debate in order that another humble Address, which has nothing to do with this, can be moved in another place. Until that is done we adjourn the Debate on our own humble Address. The notion that there is some document that passes from one House to another is, I believe, quite a mistake. I would like the Patronage Secretary to tell the House—because it is a very interesting point to Members of Parliament—why the procedure which I mentioned as a complete innovation has been adopted in reference to these Orders. I can see no reason why an humble Address asking for approval for these Orders should differ from any other Address asking for the approval of the Minister of Labour, or any other Minister. I am not desirous of introducing anything contentious, but I am very anxious to learn the procedure and the reason for it.
§ 8.51 p.m.
§ Captain MargessonI hope that the right hon. Gentleman realises that I did not expect this question or I would have refreshed my memory. At the time, some 1743 two years ago, when these Orders were started, I made myself familiar with the procedure. I have now only a general recollection, but I think that it is based on the fact that these Orders can be amended and ordinary Orders which we pass late at night cannot be amended. If this procedure were not adopted we should be in the position, as I understand it, of having to begin our work all over again, if an Amendment were moved and carried in another place. As it is, we simply say we will consider this. We adjourn the Debate, having gone so far. It then goes to another place, and if they agree to the humble Address, it comes back to us and we ratify it. We are not asked to-night to take a final decision. If we are satisfied and the other House is satisfied, then at the next stage the House finally gives its consent.
§ 8.52 p.m.
§ Mr. BennAt what stage does this House move Amendments to these Orders, because I would remind the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that we are not debating any Orders to-night but an humble Address. At what stage, therefore, does this House make any proposals it may have to make? What is happening is that the Orders are laid before us and we are asked to vote an humble Address approving the Orders, but before anyone can make any suggestions about the Orders, the Government move the Adjournment. I want to be clear at what stage the function of the House of Commons is to be performed.
§ Captain Margesson0: As I understand it, an Amendment can be moved now at this stage. The Government do not move, "That the Debate be now adjourned," if there is any hon. or right hon. Gentleman in the House who chooses to carry on the Debate. If the House or any hon. Member wishes to move an Amendment to the Address, now would be the time.
§ Debate to be resumed upon Monday next.