– in the House of Commons am ar 13 Gorffennaf 1922.
Mr John Clynes
, Manchester Platting
In asking for a statement of business next week, may I inquire, in view of the reported breakdown of The Hague Conference, the collapse of the mark, and the bearing of these two things on the whole problem of reparations, whether the Government can provide an opportunity for an early discussion in this House, and accordingly put down the appropriate Vote with reference to it?
Mr David Lloyd George
, Caernarvon District of Boroughs
I am afraid it would be difficult, if not impossible, to have a discussion next week, for reasons which have been explained to my right hon. Friend, but in the week after next the appropriate Vote will be put down, by arrangement, on which both these questions could very conveniently be discussed. I hope that will meet the convenience of right hon. and hon. Gentlemen in the House.
With regard to the business for this evening, to-morrow, or next week, if anytime is available this evening or tomorrow I shall propose to proceed with minor Orders on the Paper, such as the Post Office (Pneumatic Tubes Acquisition) Bill, the Public Works Loans Bill, and, if further time be available, the Second Readings of the Education (Scotland) (Superannuation) Bill and the Allotments (Scotland) Bill, which have come down from the House of Lords.
With regard to next week, the business will be:
Monday (July 17th).—Honours Debate, and, if time permits, other Orders on the Paper.
Tuesday.—Supply: Navy Votes.
Wednesday.—Second Headings of the Scottish Bills—Education (Scotland) (Superannuation) Bill and Allotments (Scotland) Bill, if not taken before: Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Bill; Naval, Military and Air Force Canteens Bill, and Reports from Standing Committees upstairs.
Thursday.—Supply: Scottish Estimates.
Friday.—Report and Third Readings of various Bills.
Lord Robert Cecil
, Hitchin
Arising out of the first part of the question of my right hon. Friend the Member for Platting (Mr. Clynes), can the Prime Minister give any information as to what has occurred at The Hague?
Mr David Lloyd George
, Caernarvon District of Boroughs
I have already answered a question with regard to that. I cannot give any information to the House beyond what has appeared in the papers, but I am afraid there is a deadlock. I have not, however, yet had any official information that there is a breakdown, but I promise that if any news comes in the course of the evening I will inform the House of it on the Adjournment to-night.
Mr William Thorne
, West Ham Plaistow
Will the House be in a position to get all the questions put to the Russian Delegates and their answers?
Mr David Lloyd George
, Caernarvon District of Boroughs
There must be some method of informing the House officially of what took place, but until my hon. Friend's return from The Hague I cannot say what is the exact form in which that information can be supplied.
Mr William Thorne
, West Ham Plaistow
Will it be possible to get the questions put to the Russian Delegates, and their replies? Surely that is a very simple matter.
Mr David Lloyd George
, Caernarvon District of Boroughs
I am sure that is an essential part of any information that is conveyed to the House. The House must have the information that will enable it to judge, if there is a breakdown, at what point the breakdown came.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
Can the Prime Minister say at what time the Debate on the Resolutions for the Reform of the other Chamber will be held in this House?
Mr David Lloyd George
, Caernarvon District of Boroughs
As soon as they come down from the House of Lords.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
Were not the discussions to be simultaneous?
Mr David Lloyd George
, Caernarvon District of Boroughs
Oh, no! Sir DONALD MACLEAN: With regard to the list for to-night, I presume the phrase "if there be any time to spare" means before 11 o'clock?
Mr Oswald Mosley
, Harrow
Before the Debate on Monday, will the Prime Minister circulate a Paper showing the average number of honours conferred annually during his administration and during preceding administrations?
Mr Neil Maclean
, Glasgow Govan
And the amount paid.
Mr Carlyon Bellairs
, Maidstone
With regard to the Honours Debate on Monday, and the decision of the Government to treat it as a matter of confidence, may I ask the Prime Minister whether the Government intends to negative the Resolution or to meet it by a reasoned Amendment? Is he aware of the great strain he will place on many of his supporters—
Mr David Lloyd George
, Caernarvon District of Boroughs
I think I had better not make a statement in reference to the course which the Government is going to pursue until the Debate on Monday. I think my hon. Friends need not apprehend any strain upon their loyalty. Before they make up their minds, I am sure they will listen to what the Government has to say. A good deal has been said on the other side.
Mr Neil Maclean
, Glasgow Govan
In order to relieve his followers of the strain which they think is going to be put upon them, will the Prime Minister leave the matter to the open vote of the House and take the Whips off?
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
That has been answered already.
Ordered, "That the Proceedings on the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill be exempted, at this day's Sitting, from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House).—[The Prime Minister.]
Ordered, "That the Proceedings on the Finance Bill and on the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill have precedence this day of the Business of supply.—[The Prime Minister.]
The house of Lords is the upper chamber of the Houses of Parliament. It is filled with Lords (I.E. Lords, Dukes, Baron/esses, Earls, Marquis/esses, Viscounts, Count/esses, etc.) The Lords consider proposals from the EU or from the commons. They can then reject a bill, accept it, or make amendments. If a bill is rejected, the commons can send it back to the lords for re-discussion. The Lords cannot stop a bill for longer than one parliamentary session. If a bill is accepted, it is forwarded to the Queen, who will then sign it and make it law. If a bill is amended, the amended bill is sent back to the House of Commons for discussion.
The Lords are not elected; they are appointed. Lords can take a "whip", that is to say, they can choose a party to represent. Currently, most Peers are Conservative.
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Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.