HC Deb 29 July 1938 vol 338 c3517
Mr. Tinker

On a point of Order. Before you put the Motion which is on the Order Paper, Mr. Speaker, may I ask for your guidance? In view of the feeling which was expressed in the course of the Question put to the Prime Minister at Question time about internal affairs, in what position are we placed, as ordinary Members of Parliament, if trouble arises in regard to unemployment and we are of opinion that the House should be called together to try to get the Prime Minister to make a statement of what he proposes to do about it? Have we any standing, in appealing to you to call Parliament together?

Mr. Speaker

In the Motion which will be moved, it is stated that the representation must come from the Government, but Members of Parliament can make representations to the Government of the urgency of any matter in respect to which they think it is advisable to call Parliament together.

Mr. Buchanan

Is it the case that such representations would not go direct to you but must go to you via the Government, and that only the Government can make the recommendations to you?

Mr. Speaker

That is the position, from what is stated in the Motion.

Resolved, That this House, at its rising this day, do adjourn till Tuesday, 1st November; 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 1st day of November or any subsequent day shall be appointed for the day on which the House shall so meet."—[The Prime Minister.]

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