HC Deb 18 June 1936 vol 313 cc1180-2
Mr. ATTLEE

Will the Prime Minister state the business for next week?

The PRIME MINISTER

On Monday,—Supply, Committee (10th allotted day). The Vote for the Unemployment Assistance Board will be considered.

Tuesday,—Supply Committee (11th allotted day), Foreign Office Vote.

Wedneday,—Motion to approve the Central (Coal Mines) Scheme (Amendment) Order, 1936.

Thursday,—Report and Third Reading of the Air Navigation Bill, and Motion to approve the Cattle Industry (Extension of Period) Order, 1936.

The business for Friday will be announced later.

On any day, if there is time, other Orders may be taken.

Mr. ATTLEE

With regard to Thursday's business, there are a large number of matters outstanding on Report of the Air Navigation Bill on which Ministers have agreed to satisfy Members, and the length of time that it may take must depend on how far that is done. To have the Report and Third Reading and the Cattle Industry Order will mean a very late Sitting. Is there any reason why the Third Reading should not be taken on another day?

The PRIME MINISTER

We have given very careful consideration to this, and it seems to us a not unreasonable request to make that these Orders should be taken. There has been so much discussion and debate on the Bill that possibly the right hon. Gentleman's fears may be a little exaggerated. I would rather wait and see before I give a more definite answer.

Mr. ATTLEE

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed the habit now of always putting down the Third Reading on the same day as the Report stage? There may be matters of considerable controversy though no Amendments are made on the Report, and it is really nullifying the Third Reading stage altogether.

The PRIME MINISTER

The custom of the House in matters of debate varies over terms of years, and there has undoubtedly been a tendency in recent years to have a much shorter debate than used to be customary on the Third Reading. This practice has become more general with both parties during the past five or ten years.

Mr. ATTLEE

May we take it that the House will not be asked to sit very late that night and that, if business is not got through, it will not be extended into the small hours?

The PRIME MINISTER

I should certainly hope not, but I would remind the House that some of us may be beginning to hope that we are getting into the last few weeks of what has been a very heavy and protracted Session, and we all of us want to finish as soon as we can.

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Are we to understand that the Debate on Tuesday will be a continuation and development of the discussion that is begun to-day, because the three and a-half hours that we have are obviously insufficient for the general body of Members to take part in it?

The PRIME MINISTER

Whether the Debate on the Foreign Office Vote will take place on a Motion or not I have as yet no knowledge. But it will be the Foreign Office Vote—there is no question about that.

Mr. STEPHEN

Arising out of the business announced for Monday does the Prime Minister mean that we are to have the new Regulations, and, if not, does he think it advisable to take the Vote before we have the new Regulations? Surely, we should have the new Regulations before we take the Vote.

The PRIME MINISTER

The hon. Member is aware that it is not I who chooses the Debate on Supply days. This particular Debate has been asked for by hon. Gentlemen opposite.

Mr. LANSBURY

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in Tuesday's Debate, we may have a discussion of the question which I raised at Question Time, and which to-day I personally do not want to raise, in view of the particular discussion that is to take place?

The PRIME MINISTER

As to what is in order, it is not my duty to pronounce, but anything which is in order on Supply can be raised.

Viscountess ASTOR

Will it be possible on the second Debate on Foreign Affairs for other hon. Members except Front Bench Members or former Cabinet Ministers to be able to speak?

The PRIME MINISTER

That, of course, is the task of the Chairman of Ways and Means, but I should be delighted if it were so.