HC Deb 17 February 1947 vol 433 cc799-801
Mr. Eden

Could I ask the acting Leader of the House if he would tell us for what purpose he is proposing to suspend the Rule today: and how far he hopes to get with the Orders of the Day?

Mr. Arthur Greenwood

I propose to move the suspension of the Rule for the purpose of completing the Report stage and Third Reading of the Civic Restaurants Bill, and the Industrial Organisation [Money], Committee stage.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

May I ask the acting Leader of the House when we are likely to have a statement on Palestine?

Mr. Greenwood

I promised it last week. I should hope within a day or two; I cannot give a definite date. Quite clearly, the House will be given notice about when we propose to make a statement, so that hon. Members will be forewarned.

Mr. Stanley

Would the right hon. Gentleman at least guarantee that the first statement will be made to this House, and not to a private meeting of hon. Members upstairs?

Mr. Greenwood

I do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman is making charges against me—

Mr. Stanley

I am only asking a question.

Mr. Greenwood

I know, but I think there is some imputation in it. The answer, of course, is "Yes, Sir"

Mr. S. Silverman

In view of the stage which this matter has now reached, and the consequential importance of the statement which the Government will have to make, can my right hon. Friend say whether the House will be given any opportunity of debating it?

Mr. Greenwood

The matter is still a little fluid. There is no finality about the situation, in which case I think we are entitled to call it a little fluid. As soon as the statement is made in the House, then, of course, we shall be prepared to consider a Debate—indeed, I have undertaken that the matter shall be debated in the House. If we are to have a foreign affairs Debate we have to consider the question of time. It is a matter which I shall be prepared to consider when the moment arises.

Mr. Churchill

Would it not be altogether inconvenient to mix up the special problem of Palestine with the general foreign affairs Debate?

Mr. Greenwood

The right hon. Gentleman has misunderstood me. I was speaking of the amount of time that might be available for the discussion of other subjects. But the pledge which I gave to the House about a Debate on Palestine certainly stands.

Viscount Hinchinghrooke

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Palestine situation is so fluid that it has flowed into all the newspapers, but has not been allowed to come into this Chamber?