45. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Prime Minister whether he will find time for a Debate on the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Evesham relating to Members' rights, House of Commons?
§ [This House notes with perturbation the extent to which the rights of hon. Members, individually and collectively, have been abrogated and curtailed; recognises that to some degree this is inevitable as a result of the war; urges on the Government the necessity of re-stating these at the earliest opportunity at the conclusion of hostilities, and asks the Government for an assurance that the authority of the House of Commons shall be maintained in accordance with, past traditions and time-honoured customs.]
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)I regret that, in the present state of Business, the Government cannot afford time for a discussion even on a Motion so attractive as that standing in the name of my hon. Friend.
Mr. De la BèreIs the Prime Minister aware that what worries this House is the repeated introduction of Orders in Council by the Government? Are not those Orders in Council diametrically opposed to all democratic principles? That is the point of the Motion.