HL Deb 15 December 1932 vol 86 cc455-7
LORD MARLEY

My Lords, may I ask the noble and learned Viscount if he has any information to give about business for next week and the resumption of business after the Christmas Recess?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)

My Lords, the first question is easily answered. On Tuesday next the Committee stages of We are up against a blank wall. Let us start. Let the Government declare that they believe that the thing is wrong and that something has to be done. Let them say that they will make an attempt to create a new economic scheme.

I submit to the House that. it must be admitted that the present condition of affairs is absurd, otherwise you could not have this great wealth on one hand and this dire poverty on the other. Who talks about "get-rich-quick"? We are talking about housing and feeding people decently. These contrasts cannot exist unless the present system be wrong, and that is why this Resolution asks the. Government to bring forward immediate proposals for economic reforms, in order to put right the present evils. I ask that in the first place it should be admitted that the thing is wrong; secondly, that it can be put right by human agency; and thirdly, that the Government should proceed to do the best they can to put it right. Therefore I have moved the Resolution which stands in my name.

On Question, Whether the Motion shall be agreed to?

Their Lordships divided: Contents, 10; Not-Contents, 14.

CONTENTS.
Wicklow, E. Belhaven and Stenton, L. Marley, L.
Conway of Allington, L. [Teller.] Melehett, L.[Teller.]
Elibank, V. Sanderson, L.
Forres, L. Snell, L.
Allen of Hurtwood, L.
NOT-CONTENTS.
Sankey, V. (V. Chancellor.) Hailsham, V. Luke, L.
Mildmay of Flete, L.
Lucan, E. [Teller.] Aberdare, L. Rankeillour, L.
Onslow, E. Clements, L. (E. Leitrim.) Strathcona and Mount Royal, L.
Stanhope, E. Dynevor, L.
Gage, L. (V. Gage.) [Teller.] Wigan, L. (E. Crawford.)

the Visiting Forces (British Commonwealth) Bill and the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill will be taken. On Wednesday there are a Motion by Lord Newton about the 24-hour system of expressing time and the Third Readings of the two Bills I have just mentioned, which I hope will have gone through Committee on the previous day. On Thursday we shall have to suspend the Standing Orders in order to pass the Consolidated Fund Bill through all its stages. That Bill cannot start in another place until the two Supplementary Estimates have been gone through, and therefore cannot reach this House before Thursday. After the Royal Assent has been given to Bills there will be an adjournment. I cannot give an authoritative answer to the second part of the noble Lord's question, but I hope we shall have a Recess of about six weeks. That is without prejudice.