HC Deb 02 July 1931 vol 254 cc1602-4

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."—[Mr. T. Kennedy.]

Mr. STANLEY BALDWIN

May I ask the Prime Minister, who stated that he might have to make some alteration in the business as announced to-day, whether he has any such alteration to announce?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

As I stated to-day, I might have to vary the announcement I made earlier in the day regarding business next week. I therefore propose to put down on Monday, as the first Order, the Coal Mines Bill. This Bill will be an emergency Bill, and I propose that if the House desires two days—which it well may—to consider the Bill, to take the Second Reading on Monday, and then put it down again for its further stages on Tuesday as the first Order. I hope that the Bill will be in the Vote Office to-morrow afternoon, as early in the afternoon as possible. The notice has been handed in to-day of the presentation of the Bill to-morrow.

Mr. BATEY

Can the Prime Minister tell us what the Bill will contain?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARD

Does this mean that the Private Business that was put down by the Chairman of Ways and Means for 7.30 on Monday will have to be postponed?

The PRIME MINISTER

That is not the affair of the Government, but we will just go on and do as much as we can of the business on the Paper on Monday. With regard to what is contained in the Bill, my hon. Friend will find it to-morrow afternoon.

Mr. ANEURIN BEVAN

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the fact that he gave a pledge some time ago that no legislation dealing with hours in the mining industry would be introduced unless there was agreement between the two sides of the industry, how he can announce that he is going to bring in legislation next week when the conference for to-morrow has not yet considered the question?

The PRIME MINISTER

My hon. Friend had better wait and see the position, but in any event, a full explanation will be made on Monday.

Mr. E. BROWN

Do I understand that we take the Second Reading of the Coal Mines Bill on Monday as the first Order, and then, if the Humber Bill, which comes on at 7.30, goes on, as it may, for an hour or two, we shall go on after that again and after 11 o'clock?

The PRIME MINISTER

In the meantime, we will see what the chances are, but, in any case, the Second Reading of the Coal Bill have to be taken on Monday.

Viscount WOLMER

Will the Agricultural Marketing Bill be taken?

The PRIME MINISTER

It will appear on Monday as second Order, but we will just see how things go. There will be time on a succeeding day if it is not dealt with them.

Major ELLIOT

Will the Coal Bill apply to Scotland?

The PRIME MINISTER

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will find the Bill in the Vote Office to-morrow afternoon.

Question put, and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at Nineteen Minutes after Eleven o'Clock.