Housing Repairs and Rents Bill (Allocation of Time)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 February 1954.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Donald Wade Mr Donald Wade , Huddersfield West 12:00, 22 February 1954

There are many outside the House as well as inside who are concerned about the future of Parliamentary democracy, and I think they want to know whether the fault lies in the machinery or in those who work the machinery, and it is for that reason that I have asked these questions, because I think they have some bearing on this wider aspect of our Parliamentary system.

I do not agree that this can be regarded entirely empirically. One has to have regard to principles. On the other hand, I appreciate the anxiety of the Minister to get on with his Bill, and that he has to bear what seems to be a disproportionate share of the legislative programme at the present time. However, as this is a complicated Bill, as under the proposals before us today there will not be adequate discussion of some of the important Clauses of the Bill, and because of the principles about which I and my colleagues feel deeply, and which are relevant to this question, we feel it our duty to vote against this Motion.