§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the Prime Minister able to tell us to-day when the Unemployment Insurance Bill will be introduced, and also the business for the week?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)The Unemployment Insurance Bill will be presented to-morrow and copies circulated to Members with the Votes on Thursday morning.
As regards the business for the week, the House is already aware that it is the intention of the Government to move the Adjournment of the House to-day in order to debate foreign affairs. The Foreign Secretary will open the Debate. In consequence, the business previously announced for consideration to-day will not be taken, except the Second Reading of the Expiring Laws Continuance (No. 2) Bill. This stage of the Bill is usually treated as formal. The Committee stage is the effective stage, when Amendments can be discussed.
The business for the remainder of the week will be as follows:’ To-morrow; the remaining stages of the Expiring Laws Continuance (No. 2) Bill; the Second Reading of the Firearms and Imitation Firearms (Criminal Use) Bill [Lords]; Second Reading of the Local Government Bill [Lords]; and the Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.
Thursday; Second Reading of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill [Lords]; and the remaining stages of the Firearms and Imitation Firearms (Criminal Use) Bill.
The business for Friday will be announced later, and on any day, if there is time, further Orders may be taken.
§ Mr. BUCHANANJust before we Adjourned the Lord President of the Council, in response to a request by the 36 Leader of the Opposition and myself, said that the House would be given time to discuss the question of Health Insurance and Pension rights of very many people. In view of the promise given by the Lord President of the Council, will the Prime Minister now state if any arrangements have been made for that Debate to take place, and, if so, can he give us any idea of the day on which it will be taken and what form it will take?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe promise of my right hon. Friend has not been overlooked. As a matter of fact, at this moment conversations are proceeding through the usual channels as to how the Debate shall be arranged.
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether time will be given for practically an agreed Measure to come up on Report stage, namely, the Protection of Birds Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat Bill is on the Paper to-day and perhaps my hon. Friend will see me later on.
§ Captain HAROLD BALFOURMay I ask the Prime Minister if, in view of the restricted time available to-day for Back Bench Members to express themselves on the question of Disarmament, there will be a further occasion for another Debate in the near future?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAt the present moment I can make no definite promise, but my mind is open.