§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask the Prime Minister what business the Government propose to take when the House resumes after the Recess?
§ The PRIME MINISTERPerhaps it will be for the convenience of the House if I announce the nature of the Resolution which I propose to move to-morrow for the Adjournment. The Government intend to ask the House to-morrow, in considering the Motion for the Adjournment, to give power to Mr. Speaker to summon the House at an earlier date, if, after consultation with the Government, he is satisfied that the public interests require an earlier meeting. The House has granted this power on previous occasions. We propose to ask the House to-morrow to adjourn until the 2nd February.
§ The business that we propose to take on resumption is as follows:
§ Tuesday: Town and Country Planning Bill, Second Reading, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.
§ Wednesday: Private Members' day.
§ Thursday: Children Bill, Second Reading.
§ Friday: Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Bill, Second Reading, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.
§ On any day, should there be time, other business will be taken.
§ I am afraid that it is not possible to make the Town and Country Planning Bill and the Children Bill available for Members before the House adjourns to-morrow, but arrangements are being made for them to be specially circulated during the Recess.
§ Mr. HARRISDoes it mean that the London Passenger Transport Bill is to be dropped, as it is not mentioned in the programme?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo.
§ Mr. LAMBERTDoes the Prime Minister propose, in the earlier part of the Session, to adumbrate the policy of the Government in regard to agriculture?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat will be settled during the Recess. As my right hon. Friend knows, it is a very simple 2059 thing for the Government, if they have a statement to make and wish to take time otherwise allocated, to move, "That the House do now adjourn," at the beginning of the Debate.
§ Mr. HANNONIs it not much more important from the point of view of the country in its present condition that the first week after Parliament meets should be devoted to the important Measures that the country is expecting the Government to bring into operation at the earliest possible moment?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat will be borne in mind.
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo. It so happens that the first Friday is a Government day.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the Prime Minister take an early opportunity to state the Government's position in regard to the question of rent, seeing the tremendous importance that problem is now assuming?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat will be included in a statement by the Government, which I hope will be made very quickly after the House resumes.
§ Sir J. NALLIn regard to Wednesday, 3rd February, will the ballot for private Members' business be taken on that day?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROn the Tuesday.
Sir F. HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that practically the whole of the London Members are deadly opposed to the London Passenger Transport Bill, and will he in the circumstances say that that Bill will be dropped, because there is a practically unanimous opinion that it is impossible to alter the Bill in such a manner as to make it acceptable to the London Members?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should have to take my information on that subject through the usual channels.
§ Mr. J. JONESWho informed the hon. and gallant Member that the London Members are opposed to the London Passenger Transport Bill?