Sir William Davison: Are there not two other distinct points, one the administration of Regulation 18B and the other the continued detention of a Member of the House; and how can the House express an opinion on these two different matters in the form in which the business is now being presented?
Sir William Davison: rose—
Sir William Davison: asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that under the existing law there is no power to try a German for a crime committed by a German against a British subject in Germany; and whether he will introduce legislation to deal with this urgent matter.
Sir William Davison: Do I understand that, apart from crimes under so-called municipal law, crimes committed in Germany by Germans against British subjects are punishable under international law?
Sir William Davison: Does not my right hon. Friend realise that the course he has suggested will prevent Members from expressing their opinion on the very important matter of the detention of a Member of this House? Surely this discussion is not a criticism of the Home Office as a whole. The House wishes to discuss the detention of one of its own Members; but the proposal which my right hon. Friend makes will...
Sir William Davison: Is not this an extreme example of the regrettable effect of legislation by reference? Neither the Committee nor the Minister knows where we are. We are continually being referred to some other Statute. That shows the great difficulty in which Members are put by this continual reference to other legislation.
Sir William Davison: If the Minister's reply is not satisfactory, what is the position of the House?
Sir William Davison: I hope the Committee will consider what the position will be if these words are not inserted. It will mean that if, in the opinion of the Minister, his Regulations will not be complied with, he can refuse any application for registration. Supposing a soldier comes back from the front who has been employed by a farmer, or has perhaps seen a dairy farm in Normandy or elsewhere, and thinks...
Sir William Davison: In connection with the peace settlement with Germany, referred to in the Question, will my right hon. Friend assure the House that full use will be made of German nationals to make good the wholesale destruction which has been so unnecessarily carried out in Europe by Germans?
Sir William Davison: Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that Members on all sides are getting a great many letters from small builders saying that they are being entirely overlooked in these contracts and that they are much better able than big contractors to deal with local building?
Sir William Davison: Can the hon. Gentleman not take action to make people more careful in stepping off pavements?
Sir William Davison: Is the Minister aware that often in London the only way a property-owner can get his bombed houses repaired is through the local authority, and that they ask for the privilege of nominating the tenants, when they do the repairs?
Sir William Davison: On the point raised by the hon. Member for Gravesend (Sir I. Albery) as to fixing a day for a Debate on the detention of an hon. Member, having regard to the fact that the hon. Member in question has now been detained for over four years, and in particular bearing in mind the change of circumstances which has since occurred, is it not a matter of urgency that this matter should be discussed...
Sir William Davison: asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether, in the recent negotiations with the Spanish Government, attention was drawn to the controlling interest acquired by Germany in a large number of Spanish companies producing iron, steel, nitrogen and other war essentials; and what steps have been taken to prevent Germany from continuing to be supplied by Spain with...
Sir William Davison: Will the Minister realise the seriousness of enemy control of so many Spanish companies producing war essentials, both now and after the war, and will he give this matter the very closest attention?
Sir William Davison: asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how it is that the German flag is still flying over the German consulate at Tangier and that no steps have so far been taken by the Spanish Government to close the consulate in accordance with the agreement with Great Britain and the U.S.A.
Sir William Davison: Do I understand that there is no danger of these German officials moving out of Tangier to Tetuan or somewhere along the coast, and carrying on their machinations outside?
Sir William Davison: asked the Prime Minister whether he will give further consideration to the hardship now suffered by Under-Secretaries of State in not being allowed to deduct for Income Tax the necessary expenses allowed to other Members of Parliament, and if he will make a statement on the subject.
Sir William Davison: May I ask the Minister to understand that no Under-Secretary has suggested this Question, and may I further ask him why what is perhaps the hardest worked section of the House are denied something which is considered just in the case of all other Members of Parliament, so that their promotion often leaves them poorer than before; and will my right hon. Friend inform the House what there is to...
Sir William Davison: On a point of Order. I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter again on the Motion for the Adjournment.
