BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 5 September 1940)

§ Mr. Lees-Smith
May I ask the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the future Sittings of the House?

§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)
Yes, Sir. We propose that the House shall adjourn to-day until Tuesday, 17th September, and meet also on Wednesday, 18th, and Thursday, 19th September, which will give hon. Members an opportunity of debating several important matters.
The following subjects are proposed for debate:
Tuesday, 17th September—The scheme for physical recreation of young people.
Wednesday, 18th September — The health of the nation, with special reference to National Health Insurance.
The subject to be debated on Thursday, 19th September, will be announced later.
If necessary, I will make a statement on the war situation on one of these days.

§ Mr. Gallacher
In the Debate on the Wednesday will it be possible to discuss the question of old age pensions and supplementary benefits?

§ The Prime Minister
I believe there is a desire that that should be the subject of separate discussion.

§ Mr. Woodburn
I wish to raise a point of Order. During the vacation a number of Questions have been sent in to the Clerk at the Table, and none of these appears on the Order Paper. I should like to ask whether it is intended that during the next interval in the sittings of the House no Questions will be accepted when the House is not sitting.

§ Mr. Speaker
It is contrary to the Rules of the House to accept Questions in those circumstances.

§ Mr. Woodburn
I was under the impression that if Questions were sent in 48 hours before the Sitting of the House, they would be in order. That has not been so during this vacation, and, therefore, I ask for your guidance as to what the proper procedure is.

§ Mr. Speaker
What the hon. Member says is correct only in the case of a long adjournment of the House. It is not the rule when there is a short adjournment. If the House sits on Tuesday, there will be no opportunity to put down Questions.

§ Mr. Kirkwood
Does that mean that any Questions that we desire to put must be handed in to-day?

§ Mr. Speaker
That is so.

§ Mr. Garro Jones
You were good enough, Mr. Speaker, to indicate a few minutes ago that the Prime Minister was to make a statement in regard to the Sittings of the House during air raids. As this is a matter to which many hon. Members attach importance, may I ask whether that statement is to be made now or during the general statement by the Prime Minister?

§ The Prime Minister
I propose to make it during my general statement.

§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir T. Moore
Further to the point of Order which was raised just now. Does your decision, Mr. Speaker, mean that those Questions which have been submitted to the Clerks at the Table during the last fortnight and have not been accepted or are handed in at the Table to-day will appear on the Order Paper on 17th September?

§ Mr. Speaker
Yes, that is so.

§ Mr. Frankel
In view of the fact that the House is working under exceptional procedure in these times, and that Questions which have been handed in lately cannot appear on the Order Paper until 17th September, would it not be advisable to make a new rule in view of the changed circumstances?

§ Mr. Speaker
I understand that that course might be considered, but it would require a special Order of the House.

§ Mr. Frankel
What is the procedure, Sir? May I move a Resolution?

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Member can move a Resolution, but he must give notice of it on the Order Paper.

§ Sir Henry Morris-Jones
Can the Prime Minister give the House an indication whether it is the intention of the Government that, when we re-assemble on 17th September, we should sit once a week or twice a week? I tabled an Amendment to a Motion which I understood might be moved. I have not seen the Motion on the Order Paper, but I read about it in the Press.

§ The Prime Minister
Although the Government naturally want to meet Members' convenience, we must see how we get on, and must arrange our sittings in accordance with the public interest.

§ Mr. Gallacher
In view of the importance and urgency of the discussion in this House of old age pensions, and in order to ensure a stronger feeling of continuity, would not the Prime Minister consider allocating a day next week for discussion of this subject?

§ The Prime Minister
These matters should be settled through the usual channels. I am very far from wishing to discourage the hon. Member, but some hon. Members are far more associated with the subject of old age pensions than I am aware the hon. Gentleman is.