Mr Stanley Baldwin: In regard to the Army Vote, I think it will be found that there will not be as many questions arise as naturally arose on the Air Vote. The Air Vote covers a very wide field. The right hon. Gentleman may have observed that we have made some special provision for that in putting down the Report stage on Vote A as the first Order on Monday. I hope that the difficulties which the hon. Member has...
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I think we must see how we get on with these Estimates. The bringing in of these Service Estimates all together does involve a certain strain on the House. I recognise that, and I regret it, but in the circumstances it has been inevitable. I am sure that no one would consider that the time devoted to these Estimates has been at all unreasonable, but it is a little unfortunate that we have had...
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I quite appreciate the point that the right hon. Gentleman has raised. These Orders were put down more as a precautionary arrangement; I have no desire to do anything to which the right hon. Gentleman might take exception.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I hope that the report will be available to Members on Thursday next.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on 19th March last in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker).
Mr Stanley Baldwin: There is, of course, another side to that. In view of the enormous amount of work which rests on the Secretary of State, there are advantages in his being more free to devote himself to the work that he has to do and to be represented here by a Parliamentary Secretary. The strain at present on this particular office is enormous, and I think it does conduce to the best interests of...
Mr Stanley Baldwin: Neither of those posts at the present time imposes the same strain that attaches to what is practically the creation of a new Force.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: It is not considered that there is any change in the European situation which would justify any alteration in the attitude taken by His Majesty's Government in relation to the Channel Tunnel from that adopted when the project was last considered. The answer to the last part of the question is, therefore, in the negative.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I should require notice of that question.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: We are proposing to suspend the Eleven O'Clock Rule in order to obtain the necessary Air Votes which are on the Paper. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, it is usual to suspend the Standing Order for this purpose.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I cannot add to the reply which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member on 24th March last.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: It is not possible for any Prime Minister to give an undertaking as to what may happen in future.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: The answer is in the negative.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: No, only my lips are sealed sometimes.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: Yes, Sir. The Imperial Conference, which will open on izith May, will afford an opportunity for discussion of matters of common interest to the Members of the British Commonwealth under the following heads: (1) Foreign affairs and Defence;(2) Constitutional questions;(3) Trade, shipping and air communications and allied questions. As regards foreign affairs and Defence, the agenda will...
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I hope before the House rises for the Easter Recess.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: On Monday it is proposed to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on the Air Estimates, and to consider Votes A, 1, 4, 3 and 8, and the Air Supplementary Estimate in Committee. Tuesday: It is proposed to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on the Army Estimates and to consider Votes A, 1, 2, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 and Ordnance Factories Estimate; and Supplementary Estimates for the Army and Army...
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I think that it is not possible at the present moment to answer that question in detail. We do not at all know the course that business may run on Wednesday or Thursday, and I think we must wait and see. It is important to get that particular Report stage, because until it is obtained we cannot have the Bill printed, and I am sure that my right hon. Friend will see that it is important that...
Mr Stanley Baldwin: Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to read the dialogue which has just taken place between the Leader of the Opposition and myself.
Mr Stanley Baldwin: I do not think anything was said on that point at all.
