HC Deb 30 November 1939 vol 355 cc258-9

Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House, at its rising this day, do adjourn till Tuesday next." —[The Prime Minister]

Mr. Maxton

I am not challenging this Motion, but I want to make a request that should it be that any special summons of Parliament is required, and that if you, Mr. Speaker, take the necessary steps to summon Parliament, every Member of the House shall individually be summoned by telegram so that he is not left, as we were left on a recent occasion, to the chance of knowing about the meeting of the House through a newspaper paragraph or a wireless announcement. I ask you that the authorities of the House should take the necessary steps, if an emergency meeting of Parliament be required, for each individual Member of the House to be individually summoned by telegram.

Mr. Speaker

As far as I can gather the hon. Member is now referring to a Motion which we have just passed. We are now on the second Motion, which provides that the House on its rising to-day shall adjourn until Tuesday next.

Mr. Maxton

On a point of Order. I was not opposing the Motion but putting a question and making a request that for the convenience of Members of the House certain steps should be taken and that we should be summoned as individuals should an emergency meeting be found necessary, and I ask you whether you can give us that assurance now?

Mr. Speaker

It is not my business to summon Members of the House by telegram.

Mr. Maxton

Surely the Motion that has just been passed puts upon you the responsibility for summoning the House, and surely as a Member of the House I can make to you a suggestion as to how you should proceed to operate in the matter?

Mr. Speaker

The Motion that we have already passed puts the responsibility upon me for summoning the House, not for summoning individual Members. If the hon. Member wishes to discuss that question, on a point of Order as to the procedure, I shall be very glad to give it consideration if the hon. Member will give me notice of what he proposes.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved, That this House, at its rising this day, do adjourn till Tuesday next.