HC Deb 09 July 1940 vol 362 c1076
47. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the call being made to the workers to forego their summer holidays, he proposes to keep the House of Commons in regular session throughout the summer months?

Mr. Attlee

The work done by Parliament is not necessarily measured by the length or frequency of its sittings. I contemplate that it will be necessary for the House to assemble at regular intervals during the summer months, but I am not in a position to make any further statement at the moment. What is important is that Parliament should be intimately associated with the action of the executive which it sustains and controls.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that much comment was made on the fact that part of the disaster in France arose because their Parliament could not meet and because of the absence of Deputies, and will he see that there is every opportunity for this Parliament to continue?

Mrs. Tate

Will the right hon. Gentleman please make arrangements whereby Members who have run away from this country on missions invented by themselves should forgo for ever the right of sitting in this House?

Hon. Members

Name?

Mrs. Tate

Marylebone.