Sir Percy Harris: Would it be possible to arrange for transport facilities to take people to the polling booths from hospitals?
Sir Percy Harris: Is it proposed that teachers should be associated in this, since they have a greater knowledge of the psychology of children even than industrialists?
Sir Percy Harris: asked the Minister of Education whether anything more can be done towards paying travelling expenses when children live a long way from their denominational or other suitable schools; and whether these facilities will be made as wide as possible.
Sir Percy Harris: Is the hon. Lady aware that many local authorities have strictly limited the distance which children can travel on free transport, which in many cases has resulted in their going to a school which the parents do not desire—I refer to denominational schools? Will she look into the matter?
Sir Percy Harris: Will the Minister make clear to the House how in this scheme it is proposed to arrange for the selling of these houses by the owner-occupier? Will he be able to sell at an increased price or at a loss, or is there any limitation?
Sir Percy Harris: I understood from the Leader of the Opposition that the Prime Minister was going to make a statement of an objective character, and we were asked if we had any objection, and I think it is only fair to the House to say that we stated that we had no objection.
Sir Percy Harris: May I assure the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that the public as a whole quite understand the position in Europe and this country, and rather resent the position being exploited?
Sir Percy Harris: I—[Hon. Members: "Sit down."] I did want to help the Government.
Sir Percy Harris: rose—
Sir Percy Harris: I have no doubt of the Prime Minister's good faith. I think that this matter should be cleared up before Parliament is prorogued. But I think that Parliament should see the new regulation. There will have to be some modification of the regulation. Perhaps we can see that to-morrow.
Sir Percy Harris: We ought to be satisfied that this Bill has been saved. Obviously, with the present Parliament coming to an end, there has had to be some give and take, and but for that this Bill would not have been accepted. I am sure the right hon. Gentleman would not contend that this is the last word on a very difficult subject, but it is of satisfaction to all of us, and especially to those like my hon....
Sir Percy Harris: It has been shown that where public interest is concerned we can by ingenuity and good will get a Clause of this kind accepted by general consent, and I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on his skill in getting us all together.
Sir Percy Harris: Can the Minister give an undertaking to reconsider the position if the labour position improves, because these boys do feel that they might be kept in the pits and be robbed of the chance of doing some service in the Forces?
Sir Percy Harris: Has the new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster taken any action in this matter; and will he represent us at Berlin, or in any other capacity?
Sir Percy Harris: We have to be realists and recognise that the powers that be have decided, and it is fixed, that there is to be an Election in the middle of July. That being so, this Motion is inevitable, but none the less unfortunate. My right hon. Friend said the procedure of the House was not sacrosanct, but I think the ancient privileges and rights of the House of Commons, as representing the people,...
Sir Percy Harris: I do not blame the right hon. Gentleman, because it was sound advice. I myself advised many women to go away. [Laughter.] I do not think the Government should take advantage of their appeal to deprive these women of their vote. Hon. Gentlemen jeer, but I happen to be an honest man. The women came back to London after the blitz, and they find that, as a result of taking the advice of the Prime...
Sir Percy Harris: If my hon. and gallant Friend's intelligence is not great enough to understand why, I will tell him. The present register is full of printing errors and omissions, and an enormous number of people have left their homes and gone into the country for various reasons. Hon. Gentlemen opposite will be surprised to learn also that there are vast numbers of men overseas fighting our country's battles.
Sir Percy Harris: It is difficult for people overseas to know the personality and character of their candidates, and they cannot take an active part in the Election. There is no section of society more entitled to take an active part in the election of the new Parliament than the members of the three Services. By October more men will have returned to the country, the register will be more up to date, and I...
Sir Percy Harris: A large proportion would also have returned by that time.
Sir Percy Harris: More Servicemen would be on the register by October. If there had been a little more mature thinking on the part of the Government, if the Government had listened less to Lord Beaverbrook, and if there had been more common sense, they would not have had to come to the House and ask it to sacrifice a large number of Supply Days and, at the same time, ask the nation to go to the poll on a stale...
