§ 47. Sir PHILIP MAGNUSasked the Prime Minister, whether, having regard to the many interests and the important issues involved in the proposed National Insurance Act Amending Bill, he will arrange that the Bill shall be considered after its Second Reading in a Committee of the Whole House?
§ 48. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked whether the Prime Minister intends to send the National Insurance Act Amending Bill to a Grand Committee, a Standing Committee, or a Select Committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is the intention of the Government to send the Bill to a Standing Committee.
§ Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONIs the Bill being sent upstairs in order to avoid the necessity of a Dissolution?
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that great expectations have been aroused with regard to this Amending Bill by his own letter to the electors of Altrincham; and, in view of the importance of the matter, is it not desirable that every Member of the House should be in a position to take part in the discussion of Amendments?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI said nothing in my letter to Altrincham that I had not already said in this House.
§ Sir PHILIP MAGNUSHaving regard to the number of persons who are desirous of suggesting Amendments, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time of the House would be really economised by Amendments being made in Committee rather than on the Report stage?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs at present advised we think this is the best course.