MARRIAGE BILL. (Hansard, 4 May 1937)

45. Mr. De la Bère
asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the substantial progress made in the Report stage of the Marriage Bill, and the fact that it was not possible to complete the Report stage on Friday, 16th April, and that this House did not meet on Friday, 23rd April, he will consider finding time for the completion of the Report and Third Reading stages, in view of the considerable majorities on Friday, 16th April, in favour of the Bill?

§ 47. Mr. Sorensen
asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the intention of the Government respecting facilities for the Marriage Bill?

§ Sir Nicholas Grattan-Doyle
Before the right hon. Gentleman replies to this question, may I ask him—

§ Mr. Speaker
Supplementary questions are usually put after the reply.

§ Sir N. Grattan-Doyle
On a point of Order. I am asking my right hon. Friend, before he replies to this question—

§ Mr. Speaker
That is not a point of Order.

§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Baldwin)
I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this subject. Perhaps hon. Members will be good enough to repeat their questions on Thursday next.

Mr. De la Bère
May I thank the Prime Minister very much for the kind way in which he is assisting in this matter, and for the kind support which, I am sure, will be forthcoming, and may I ask the hon. Burgess for Oxford University (Mr. A. Herbert) to exercise a little more restraint in future?

§ Mr. Sorensen
In view of the statement made by the Prime Minister, will he assure the House that he will not prevent this Bill from being discussed through the activities of a minority of the population?

§ The Prime Minister
Perhaps the hon. Member had better await my reply.

§ Sir N. Grattan-Doyle
Is my right hon. Friend aware of the fact that since this Bill was introduced there has been a large and growing volume of opinion in the House and in the country against its provisions?

§ The Prime Minister
I assure my hon. Friend that all relevant considerations will be borne in mind.

§ Mr. Thurtle
In considering this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to take into consideration the fact that the great bulk of enlightened opinion in this country wants the Bill?