HC Deb 24 May 1938 vol 336 cc1045-6
Mr. Attlee (by Private Notice)

asked the Prime Minister whether is attention has been drawn to the absence from the Front Bench of any Cabinet Minister during the proceedings on the Air Navigation Bill last night; and whether steps will be taken to see that in future a responsible Minister is in attendance for all Debates?

The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)

Yes, Sir. My attention has been called to the subject matter of the right hon. Gentleman's question. Unfortunately, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air was called away on urgent business affecting the work of his Department: otherwise, he would have been in his place. It has always been, and will continue to be, my practice that, as far as circumstances permit, Cabinet Ministers should be present during Debates in this House.

Mr. Attlee

While one realises that a Minister may be called away for some particular purpose connected with his Department, there are other Ministers; and very often lately the Front Bench has been left represented by an Under-Secretary or two, and a few Whips, and the Patronage Secretary has been in charge. The point I am putting is that there ought to be some Cabinet Minister, responsible to this House, to conduct the business of the Government.

The Prime Minister

I think I can add little to what I have said. It is the general intention that Cabinet Ministers should be available on all occasions during Debates, but it is impossible to give a binding undertaking that there should always be a Cabinet Minister present. I should not like to make any engagement now which might possibly bind one who may occupy my position hereafter.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called also to the proceedings on Friday, a Private Member's Day, when the Chief Whip came down and moved the Adjournment, and then absented himself and connived at two unsuccessful attempts to count out the House?

The Prime Minister

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman has omitted to state that no notice was given of his Motion.

Mr. Benn

May I ask the Prime Minister and the Leader of the House whether he does not consider that notice handed in at the Table and printed on the Order Paper is sufficient notice? Do not Ministers read their Order Paper?

The Prime Minister

The right hon. Gentleman has had a very long experience of this House and knows that it is a general matter of courtesy to give notice of his intention.

Commander Bower

As the question of last Friday has been mentioned, may I point out that I tried to count out the House without any encouragement, or help or communication with the Whips on this subject?