HC Deb 24 October 1944 vol 404 cc22-3
45. Mr. Lewis

asked the Prime Minister if, in pursuance of their undertaking, the Government have reconsidered the position of Members affected by the House of Commons Disqualification Act, 1944; and when he hopes to be in a position to make a statement on this subject.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)

The undertaking of the Government to which my hon. Friend refers was given in debate by the Foreign Secretary, as Leader of the House, on with February, 1944, and is as follows: I undertake that between now and the next occasion we will consider all that has been said in the Debate, and the Cabinet will go into the whole question. I cannot say what will be the position a year from now. The Government may or may not need these Members, but if we do decide that we need this Measure again we shall come and state our case to the House. I cannot say whether we shall need it or not: that depends upon the course of events in the next is months."— [OFFICIAL, REPORT, 11th February, 1944; Vol. 396, c. 2100.] I can assure the House that there has been no departure from the above position, which seems to have foreseen every possible contingency. The answer to the second part of the Question must depend on what happens in the world, abroad and at home, between now and the time when this Measure expires, namely, 5th March, 1945.

Mr. Lewis

Does the Prime Minister appreciate that there will be very great disappointment in the House if we are merely presented with the same Bill again next year?

The Prime Minister

There Might be disappointment in some quarters: there might be conviction that it is necessary in others.