HC Deb 20 March 1941 vol 370 cc295-6
Sir Irving Albery

May I ask you, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, whether you can now give the House any information as to the facilities available to Members for obtaining copies of Motions for which no day has been fixed?

Mr. Deputy-Speaker (Sir Dennis Herbert)

Since the hon. Member drew my attention to this point a few days ago, I have made inquiries. The present system was decided on as a result of the Second Report, paragraph 9, of the Select Committee on Publications and Debates Reports, 1939–40, Command Paper 133. On 25th June, 1940, Mr. Speaker had a conference with the Whips of the three parties, and it was then decided to adopt the present system. Mr. Speaker gave the necessary instructions and made an announcement to the House on 26th June. The Order Book circulated on Saturday mornings contains full references to all early-day Motions, and files of the Votes and Notices of Motions are kept in the Library and elsewhere. In addition, a special complete file of early-day Motions, showing the terms of the Motions and all names added or withdrawn, is kept in the Table Office at the back of the Chair, and can be referred to there by any Member. I think the House may be grateful to the hon. Member for asking this Question, because, although I cannot comply with his request under the circumstances I have stated, it will perhaps be useful to hon. Members to have their attention drawn to the facts which I have just stated as to where this information may be obtained. It may perhaps be unknown to a large number of Members where the Table Office at the back of the Chair is. They will find that it is the first room on the right-hand side on going out behind the Chair.