HC Deb 31 January 1951 vol 483 cc903-4
Mr. Eden

May I ask the Lord President of the Council if he has anything to tell us about the order of business tomorrow?

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

I am sure that hon. Members in all quarters of the House will agree when I say that we are glad to see the right hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Eden) back again, and we hope his health is now completely restored, as indeed it would appear to be.

By arrangement through the usual channels the debate tomorrow on the coal shortage will occur on an allotted Supply Day on the Motion. "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," to which the Motion already standing on the Order Paper in the name of the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition will, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, be moved as an Amendment.

[That this House deplores the contrast between Ministerial promises of adequate supplies and stocks of coal and the present shortages, which have inflicted great hardships in the home and threaten widespread industrial dislocation and stoppages.]

Mr. Speaker

In connection with the announcement just made by the Leader of the House, I must make a short explanation. The Order passed by the House on 7th November last forbids notices to be given on going into Committee of Supply until the first Thursday in February, that is to say, tomorrow. That Order was not meant, I am sure, to prevent the procedure envisaged in Standing Order No. 17, but was intended only to refer to notices on first going into Committee of Supply on the three Service Estimates and the Civil Estimates. For these notices a Ballot will be held tomorrow.

I have, therefore, directed that the Amendment proposed to be moved by the Opposition shall appear in that form on the Order Paper tomorrow, and perhaps I should say that we will look into it before another Session so that the Sessional Order is put right.

Sir Herbert Williams

On a point of order. Are we not infringing the rights of Private Members by the announcement which you have just made, Sir?

Mr. Speaker

No, I should have thought not at all—not a bit. I am not harming the rights of Private Members in any way whatsoever. I am quite certain of that.