BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (Hansard, 26 June 1974)

§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (LORD SHEPHERD)
My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.
Moved, That until the House rises for the Summer Recess, Standing Order No, 38 (Arrangement of the Order Paper) be suspended so far as is necessary to give Government business, except with the consent of the Government, precedence over other Notices and Orders of the Day; and that Standing Order No. 44 (No two stages of a Bill to be taken on one day) be suspended for the same period.—(Lord Shepherd.)

§ LORD SHINWELL
My Lords, this Motion provides that Government business should take precedence over any other business. I presume I am correct in that submission. There is something which I think ought to be raised before the Summer Recess which need not be regarded as Government business. If it is not raised now, it would seem to me to be an act of injustice towards many Members of your Lordships' House who have to come to your Lordships' House from the Provinces, but who do not reside in London. For some time there has been a great deal of talk behind the scenes, not in this House, but in the precincts, about the desirability of increasing the expense allowance, not necessarily to those who reside in London and who may not require it, but to those Members who come from the Provinces, who require to reside in hotels during their stay in London and sometimes incur very heavy expenditure.
I have reason to believe from my intelligence staff that this matter has been under consideration in some quarters of the Government, but that although 1478 there are some members of the Government who are, as I understand, sympathetic to the view that I have ventured to express, there are others who have done all they possibly can to prevent any debate on the subject.

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS
Hear, hear!

§ LORD SHINWELL
My Lords, it appears that I have expressed a view that receives some support. I am not surprised. I think the time has come, because unless something is done now nothing can be done until we return after the Summer Recess. There is also a rumour—no more than a rumour so far as I am concerned, I have no actual confirmation—that there might be another Election; and who can tell what kind of Government we shall have then? I have my views about it, being a student of politics and having my ear to the ground. Therefore, I do not want to take any risks. I can speak personally on this matter. I do not ask for any increase in my expense allowance; I want to make that known beyond any possibility of misunderstanding. But I am concerned about some of my provincial friends, and also some of those on the other side whom I should like to regard as friends in this context if not in other. Therefore, I should like to ask, with great respect, whether my noble friend the Leader of the House would venture to offer an opinion on this subject?

§ LORD SHEPHERD
My Lords, my noble friend never ceases to surprise me. In one part of his remarks I thought that he suggested that steps were being taken to prevent a debate upon the subject of allowances, but as the noble Lord knows—and he has well exercised the opportunity this afternoon—one way in which a debate can be raised on allowances is on a Motion to deal with the process of Government business during the next few weeks. I congratulate him on his initiative. I did undertake some weeks ago that following the decision, when it is taken, of the Boyle Committee on matters concerning another place I would then come to your Lordships' House to make a Statement on allowances. I indicated that I would hope to make that Statement before the Summer Recess. That is my hope and intention. I think 1479 it would be wrong to go into the question of the different ways in which one could deal with the burdens of those who live in the provinces, but I should like to say to my noble friend and to those who are in that situation that I am more than sympathetic with their position. I recognise that, with increased charges for hotels and meals, they have a special burden beyond that of those who live in London. I should not like to go any further than that, but I do hope that I will be able to make a Statement before the Summer Recess.