§ At the end of Questions—
Mr. DavidsonI beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the intention of His Majesty's Government to be officially represented at the victory march past in Madrid on the 19th instant, where Italian soldiers will parade, in direct contravention of the terms of the British-Italian Agreement, signed by representatives of His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am afraid that that is. a Motion which would not conform at all to the Rule laid down in Standing Order No. 8 with regard to this kind of Motion, This is not a matter of urgercy.
§ Mr. BennAs the Government have given instructions to our Anbassador to appear in a few days on this occasion, is it not a matter of urgency flat the House should have an opportunity of countermanding these instructions?
§ Mr. SpeakerIf the House should desire to discuss it, no doubt it will be able to do so. It is not necessarily a matter of urgency under the Standing Order.
Mr. DavidsonMay I submit to you, with all respect, that we have a British-Italian Agreement signed by representatives of both countries. The wording of that Agreement is very definite. It states very definitely that, on the cessation of hostilities, at the end of the war, Italian troops should be forthwith taken away from Spain. Further, His Majesty's Government placed this Agreement before the House, and gained the approval and consent of the House of Commons. Therefore, I submit that this decision to attend a parade where Italian soldiers are directly contravening a decision of this House is a matter of urgent public importance, and, on that basis, ought to be discussed by the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerI have no doubt that this matter will be discussed by the House, probably at an early date; but certainly it does not come under the rules relating to Standing Order No. 8.
Mr. DavidsonCan you indicate, Sir, whether the Government ought not, in view of the circumstances of this Agreement, to give the House full knowledge of this decision without being asked through a question on the Order Paper by a back bencher?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is certainly not my duty.
§ Mr. SilvermanDoes not the urgency of the matter arise out of the fact that this proposed parade is to take place imminently, and, unless the House has an opportunity to discuss it as a matter of urgency, it will be too late to discuss it at all? Does not urgency arise out of that, within the meaning of the Standing Order?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have indicated once or twice that it is not a matter of urgency under Standing Order No. 8.