HC Deb 21 April 1952 vol 499 cc162-3

Considered in Committee under Standing Order No. 84 (Money Committees).—[Queen's Recommendation signified.]

[Colonel Sir CHARLES MACANDREW in the Chair]

Motion made, and Question proposed, That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to extend the period for which the Secretary of State may make contributions under schemes agreed under section one of the Empire Settlement Act, 1922, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of any increase attributable to the said Act of the present Session in the moneys so payable under the said Act of 1922.—[Mr. John Foster.]

9.59 p.m.

Mr. Paget

The Financial Resolution—and I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Leith (Mr. Hoy) for handing me a copy—provides That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to extend the period for which the Secretary of State may make contributions under schemes agreed under section one of the Empire Settlement Act, 1922, it is expedient to authorise the payment … of moneys. May I ask the Minister this question? Is the payment to be made out of this fund in addition to or in substitution of any subscription to be made by the Government to the inter-Governmental Committee to deal with the I.R.O. programme? Are we not to have an answer? Has the Minister now been released by the Chief Whip and allowed to open his mouth? This is a serious matter. At Question time we had the Minister of Transport in irons, not allowed to open his mouth upon his subject, and now we have the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations equally in irons, not being allowed to open his mouth, prevented this time by the Patronage Secretary. Perhaps in the case of a full Minister it is the Prime Minister who holds him down. Now, when it is a mere Under-Secretary of State, the Patronage Secretary does it.

Mr. Geoffrey Bing (Hornchurch)

On a point of order. I do not like to intervene, but would it be more convenient to consider this as contentious business and for the Patronage Secretary to set it down for another day when perhaps the Minister will be prepared to answer?

The Chairman

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman opposing?

Mr. Bing

Yes, Sir Charles.

It being after Ten o'Clock, and objection being taken to further proceeding, the CHAIRMAN left the Chair, to report Progress and ask leave to sit again.

Committee report Progress: to sit again Tomorrow.