HC Deb 21 March 1935 vol 299 cc1382-4
Mr. LANSBURY

May I ask the Prime Minister the business for next week.

The PRIME MINISTER

The business will be as follows:

Monday: Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill; consideration of the Pork (Import Regulations) Order, 1935; and the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill, Second Reading, which is a formal stage. In connection with the Consolidated Fund Bill, I understand that the subjects to be discussed will be maternal and infant mortality and national health insurance.

Tuesday: Remaining stages of the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill, when, I understand, the question to be raised will be with regard to the Mercantile Marine.

Wednesday and Thursday: Committee stage of the Government of India Bill.

Friday: Committee and remaining stages of the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill, Second Reading of the Land Drainage (Scotland) Bill, and the Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

On any day, if there is time, other orders will be taken.

Mr. LANSBURY

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he would consider, in negotiations through the usual channels, taking the Import Regulation Order on Friday. We should like, if we could, to alter this arrangement.

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, certainly, if my right hon. Friend will be good enough to communicate with my right hon. Friend the Patronage Secretary.

Mr. LAMBERT

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what is the subject of the Import Duties Order?

The PRIME MINISTER

Pork.

Sir IAN MACPHERSON

Does the request of the Leader of the Opposition mean that the Scottish Land Drainage Bill will not be taken on Friday?

The PRIME MINISTER

I understand not.

Earl WINTERTON

May I ask whether, in order to safeguard the liberties of the House, the right hon. Gentleman will make it clear that, while by arrangements between the two Front Benches, it may be decided to submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that Members should be called who wish to deal with special subjects, it is open to any hon. Member who should catch your eye to raise any subject that is in order on the Consolidated Fund Bill? It is important that that should be made clear.

The PRIME MINISTER

So far as the answer which I have just given is concerned, it is the usual thing. It has always been done, but I do not control the actual working of the business during the day. We have never experienced any inconvenience, and there is no misunderstanding in the House on the subject.

Mr. MAXTON

With regard to the point raised by the Leader of the Opposition as to the change in Friday's business, do I understand that the suggestion to be discussed through the usual channels is to transfer the discussion on the Army and Air Force Bill to Monday and to bring the Import Duties Bill to Friday?

Mr. LANSBURY

Our proposition is that we should take the Import Regulation Order on Friday as first business, and then take the other business afterwards, instead of taking the Import Duties Order on Monday after 11 o'clock. We shall probably be able to arrange that.

Ordered, That this day, notwithstanding anything in Standing Order No. 14, the Report of the Navy Supplementary Estimate, 1934, and the Report of the Air Supplementary Estimate, 1934, and Business other than the Business of Supply, may be considered before Eleven of the clock, and that the Proceedings on the Reports of Supply of 14th, 18th, and 19th March may he taken after Eleven of the clock and shall be exempted, at this day's Sitting, from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House)."—[The Prime Minister.]