§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is the business for next week?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMonday: Horticultural Products (Emergency Customs Duties) Bill, Second Reading.
1258 Tuesday: Horticultural Products Bill, Committee Stage.
Wednesday: Horticultural Products Bill, Third Reading.
Thursday: Debate on Opposition Vote of Censure on the Government relating to unemployment.
I hope that on Friday it will be possible to take the Motion for the Christmas Adjournment.
During the week any other business which it may be necssary to dispose of before the Adjournment will be taken, including any Amendments which may come from another place to the Statute of Westminster Bill, or to other Bills.
§ Mr. MAXTONDoes the Prime Minister anticipate that the whole of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be taken up discussing the Horticultural Products (Emergency Customs Duties) Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe are giving the House that time in order to discuss the Horticultural Products Bill. If any arrangement can be made through the usual channels for shortening the time, we shall be very glad indeed.
§ Mr. AMERYCan the Prime Minister tell us whether, on the Motion for the Adjournment, he will be able to make any statement indicating the policy of the Government with respect to either industry or agriculture?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is not usual for the Government to make a statement on the Motion for the Adjournment.
§ Mr. AMERYAre the Government going to give us on any occasion before we separate any indicaton of what their policy is in respect of any of the matters on which they went to the country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government have done a great deal in that respect.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the fact that already two days have been devoted to discussing issues arising in relation to monetary policy, would it not be possible for the Government to take a Motion on one day on the question of trade and particularly the monetary position.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think that the business put down for any one of those days could be discussed on the Motion for the Adjournment if the business lapsed before Eleven o'clock.
§ Mr. MAXTONIn substance, the House cannot demand or expect, the services of a responsible Minister of the Crown to deal with business in the way which the House expects him to deal with it, unless definite arrangements are made in advance. I ask the Government and the Leader of the official Opposition if they do not think that this House could spend one day next week to a better purpose than discussing the question of a tariff on asparagus?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government have to accept the rules of the House, and we are carrying out those rules in arranging the business. Hon. Members ought not to forget that Thursday is to be devoted to a Vote of Censure, which covers a good deal of the ground that has been mentioned.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYMay I ask the Prime Minister whether it would not be possible to arrange, through the usual channel, that two days should be given to the Horticultural Products Bill and two days to a general discussion on industry and unemployment.
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the Horticultural Products Bill takes two days, there will be one day free. I am not prepared to say that it is possible to do that, but we are prepared to give the House an assurance to that effect. After that the House will practically have three days on the Motion for the Adjournment to discuss anything else.
§ Mr. HANNONCannot the Prime Minister, before the House rises, in view of the strong feeling in the country, make any statement in relation to the policy of the Government with regard to the iron and steel industry?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat has been covered by the answer I have already given. Any of those opportunities can be taken for a Rebate on the Adjournment to enable those questions to be discussed.
Captain HOPECan the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when the House will resume after Christmas?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, not just now.