Commander William King-Hall: On 13th May last I was speaking at a small village called Burscough in my constituency on the international situation and I said, in my concluding remarks, that we did not stand alone in 1940 to save democracy in order to change our ideas, in 1945, as to what democracy meant. On that particular evening the Prime Minister was due to broadcast to the nation, so we had arranged that his speech...
Commander William King-Hall: Have the Government taken note of the Motion standing on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. I. Thomas) and myself, relative to the need of interchanging information between ourselves and our Russian Allies, and whether the Government are going to do anything about it?
Commander William King-Hall: Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman inform the House whether, as most arrangements are still under the control of Government Departments, Members of Parliament will receive priority in any degree, as otherwise the concession will be valueless?
Commander William King-Hall: asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will endeavour to establish an Allied Committee composed of Ministers of Cabinet rank empowered to co-ordinate the activities of the various organisations, national and international, concerned with relief measures in Europe.
Commander William King-Hall: Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that something more cannot, in fact, be done to prevent some of the overlapping which is taking place (between U.N.R.R.A. relief teams, the Red Cross and other organisations working with the Allied military commands?
Commander William King-Hall: Perhaps I might bring the House back now to the very serious statement which we have just heard from the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. It is so serious that I think one should concentrate on it rather than endeavour at the present time to go into the details of the pros and cons of how the situation has arisen. When I heard the Foreign Secretary's statement, I am bound to say I...
Commander William King-Hall: I feel I cannot allow this House to adjourn on this first day of the new Government without asking His Majesty's Government whether they are aware of certain information I have and of which they should be aware. In brief, it is this. I have just returned from a visit to Belgium which I was asked to undertake by the Foreign Office to lecture to people in Belgium on the work of the British...
Commander William King-Hall: Is it not a fact that the recommendation of the Select Committee was based on facts which no longer exist, represented by the Stationery Office, of a shortage of paper in this respect; and as those facts no longer exist, may we not have this privilege restored to us?
Commander William King-Hall: When one rises at this time of night it seems to be common form to apologise for one's existence. I am not going to do that. Somebody has to get up last; it is not terribly late; and as I have said before, it is entirely the fault of the House of Commons if they do not provide themselves with adequate transport to get themselves to their homes. I am not going to speak for long because it is...
Commander William King-Hall: I listened to the Secretary of State for Scotland making his speech, with part of which I agree, and I was struck with the description of the consultations that have to take place among the various Ministers. My reason for supporting the idea of concentrating responsibility, if not now then as soon as the war is over, is that having the reponsibility in one Ministerial hand, would exercise a...
Commander William King-Hall: Will the Service voter be on the 7th May register, in the ordinary way, or will there be a separate register for Service voters?
Commander William King-Hall: The point about which I really wanted to ask was whether there will be any security objections to allowing a man's unit to be on the register.
Commander William King-Hall: After listening to the remarks of the mover and seconder of this Prayer, I waited with great interest to hear the other side of the story. I am bound to say that I think the Government have made out a practical case for, at any rate, the temporary carrying on of these arrangements. At the same time, I am glad this matter has been raised because it is important that the world should see that...
Commander William King-Hall: I would note in conclusion that the Government have told us that they have asked these bodies when they think they can resume their normal practice. I hope there will be some means of giving information to the House about their replies when they have been obtained.
Commander William King-Hall: asked the Minister of Works whether he has any further statement to make concerning the release by his Department of the 253 small flats, each with a kitchen and bathroom, of the location of which he has been informed by letter.
Commander William King-Hall: What use is being made of the 170 small bathrooms and kitchens by these Government servants? In view of the shortage of accommodation, is it not a great waste to have all these small flats used in this way?
Commander William King-Hall: On a point of Order, Mr. Chairman. Would it be better for the Under-Secretary of State for the Dominions to answer the important question which has just been put? Until we know the figures it is difficult to know whether the accommodation at the Shamrock Club is adequate to meet the case.
Commander William King-Hall: I would add only this word. Whilst agreeing with both the previous speakers, I would remind the Government that no local elections have been held and there has now been a long delay. I do suggest that steps should be taken through the Ministry of Information to bring home to the public the real importance of local elections in order to arouse interest in them.
Commander William King-Hall: I beg to move, in line 2, to Leave out from "to," to the first "in," in line 3, and to insert: control the arrangements for the reporting and publishing of Debates and to advise Mr. Speaker on any question concerning the accuracy of the Report; to assist Mr. Speaker. The significance of this Amendment is that, if accepted, it would leave in the hands of Mr. Speaker all questions concerning...
Commander William King-Hall: Then I will pass on, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, but the point of my argument was this, that if there is a great increase in the demand for and the interest in HANSARD, due to the activities of a body to which I will not refer again, it may become necessary for us to revise the methods by which we deal with that demand. I was about to pay a tribute to the Treasury for the fact that they have...