§ Mr. KIRKWOOD(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister what arrangements he is prepared to make so as to secure the introduction of the Bill for facilitating the building of the new Cunarder and the passage of such Bill through its various stages by the earliest possible date; and whether, pending its passage into law, provisional financial arrangements can be made with the companies concerned so as to enable them to resume work on the Cunarder 534, as by this means from 9,000 to 10,000 men throughout the country would be put back into employment?
§ Sir Nicholas GRATTAN-DOYLEMay I ask whether in the event of it being decided to lay down a sister ship arrangements can be made that that ship will come to the Tyne?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid that I cannot answer the question of the hon. Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle). It should be put down on the Paper to the proper Minister. With reference to the question put by 181 the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood), I understood that he wished to consult me on the arrangement of business. The Government do consider that this matter is urgent, and I have asked my right hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, to be good enough to open up negotiations with the Opposition with the idea that the Money Resolution might be put on the Order Paper for Thursday of this week. It all depends on the convenience of the House. If that is done, the Bill will then be introduced without delay, and the ordinary stages will be gone through. That will give ample opportunity for a full discussion of the subject matter of the Bill.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEIn considering the question of the enormous unemployment on the Tyne—
§ Mr. ATTLEEI think that the arrangement suggested by the Prime Minister will probably suit us on this side of the House.