HC Deb 09 November 1936 vol 317 cc513-5
Mr. ATTLEE

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Report of the Commissioner for Special Areas in England and Wales will be issued this week, he has any change to announce with regard to the Business on Thursday?

The PRIME MINISTER

In view of the fact mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, it is proposed to postpone consideration of the Expiring Laws Bill until a later date. After 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, when the Address in reply to the King's Speech has been agreed to, we shall consider the India and Burma Orders, with the exception of the Instruments of Instructions to the Governors of India Provinces and of Burma. When the India Orders have been disposed of, we shall proceed, if time permits, to consider the outstanding Additional Import Duties Orders, which are on the Paper.

Mr. ATTLEE

May I further ask the Prime Minister whether, in making arrangements with respect to the Business, he will consider also the desirability of giving this House an opportunity of discussing the affairs of the British Broadcasting Corporation, before a new charter is laid and before any appointments are made, in view of what has transpired in the case of Lambert v. Levita?

Mr. BATEY

On the subject of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill may I ask the Prime Minister whether we are to understand from his answer that he is adjourning consideration of that Bill on Thursday, but that to-night we are to go on with the Second Reading of the Bill, which includes the Special Areas Acts?

The PRIME MINISTER

The Second Reading is not effective, and cannot be debated. What my statement meant was that the consideration of the Bill, when it can be debated, would not be taken this week. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition, I will consider the point he raises. Perhaps he will be good enough to put a question a little later.

Mr. BATEY rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

We cannot pursue the matter now.

Mr. BATEY

To some of us who come from the distressed areas this is a most serious matter. It seems, from the answers given, that the Government mean to continue in the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill this Special Areas Act. That is the point which I am trying to put. Does the Prime Minister mean to continue the Act in the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill whenever the Debate takes place? I want it out of the Bill.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman has said so several times.

Mr. MAXTON

Why take the Second Reading, if there is any value in postponing the Bill? If postponement is to mean an alteration of the Measure, why commit us to a Second Reading in this House, even though it be only a formal stage?

Miss WILKINSON

Are we to understand from the Prime Minister's statement that there is to be any alteration in the Measure, or is he merely going to reenact that which was done last year, which has proved hopelessly inadequate?

The PRIME MINISTER

I do not know whether the hon. Member quite understands that this matter can be debated on the Committee stage of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, and not on the Second Reading. The Committee stage is that on which normally all these matters can be raised, and they will be raised and debated. The Ministers who will be in charge of the Bill will be in a position to give their reasons, and they can be debated.

Mr. BATEY

The Prime Minister does not understand what we are putting to him. When the Special Areas Act is debated we want the privilege of moving Amendments to it, but if it is continued in the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill we shall be prevented from moving any Amendment to the Special Areas Act.

Mr. STEPHEN

Is it the intention of the Government to cut out the Special Areas Act from the Bill by Amendment in the Committee stage, and to take the Special Areas Act as a separate Measure?

The PRIME MINISTER

The reasons for the inclusion of this Bill as it is in the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill will be explained by the Minister in charge, on the Committee stage of that Bill. That discussion cannot take place in this present week, but I hope that it will take place at an early date, when the hon. Member will be able to raise his point.

Mr. BATEY

I suggest to you, Sir, that the Prime Minister does not understand the point, and that we might be able to make the point clear to him.

Mr. SPEAKER

Much repetition is a weariness of the flesh.