§ Mr. ATTLEEMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with regard to the business this afternoon?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Debate on the Adjournment will be concluded to-day. We also propose to take the Motion standing in the name of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to approve the draft Unemployment Insurance (Increase of Benefit in respect of Dependent Children) Order. That is exempted business. I referred to this particular item yesterday. The House will meet as usual to-morrow at Eleven o'clock, and I am informed that a Royal Commission for the Prorogation of Parliament will sit in another place soon after that hour.
§ Mr. BUCHANANMay I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on this matter? understand that the Adjournment will be moved, and that, as usual, the Adjournment Debate can cover anything. Hitherto, as you will be aware, and as the whole House will be aware, by a tacit understanding certain subjects have been dealt with. May I ask, Sir, if we can have any guidance from you as to when the present Debate dealing with the Foreign situation will finish—whether it is the intention to carry it on all day? I should be deeply indebted if I could know from you whether there is any kind of tacit way by which a debate can be taken upon any other subject.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think the House generally is aware that on Motions for the Adjournment any subject can be raised provided that it does not deal with legislation. I am generally guided by arrangements which are made between the two sides of the House as to what subject shall be raised, but if any Member chooses to raise another subject it is not for me to say that he is out of order, because, of course, he would be in order. I understand, from what I am told by those concerned with making arrangements, that the Debate on foreign affairs on the Adjournment may come to an end at a fairly early hour, but at what time I could not say.
§ Mr. BUCHANANMay I, then, put a question to the Prime Minister? There is a Motion down, as he said yesterday, dealing with the proposed increase in the unemployment allowances. Could he tell us when it is proposed to take that Motion? Is it at Eleven o'clock to-night? If so, might I ask him if he could not consider taking it earlier? Is he aware that, while the 3s. itself may appear to be non-contentious, there are other issues arising from it, such as the question whether, in the case of those who are not covered by standard benefit, but are on transitional benefit, their children will have the 3s. That is a most important issue, particularly in view of what is to happen in the next few weeks. Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider taking this important question, which has relationships and ramifications far outwith it, at a much earlier hour than Eleven o'clock to-night?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs far as I am concerned, I am entirely in the hands of the House. If the House decide that they would like to bring the Debate on the Motion for Adjournment to a conclusion earlier, so as to allow of discussion on the Motion standing in the name of the Minister of Labour, we should offer no objection, and I think the time might be arranged by consultation through the usual channels. If, on the other hand, the House as a whole, so far as we are able to obtain its opinion as the day goes on, desires to continue the general discussion, then we shall not interfere in that case. We are entirely in the hands of the House.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the fact that the Motion has terrific ramifications, 331 surely it is not too much to ask of the Prime Minister that, on a matter affecting the poor people of this country, at least an hour or two should be given to it as against affairs abroad. In view of the fact that there are other considerations than merely the 3s., would not the right hon. Gentleman consider bringing it on earlier?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can say no more at this moment than I have said, but we will take early steps to ascertain the general views in the House on the matter.