§ Mr. AttleeWill the Prime Minister state the business for next week, and also say whether an opportunity will be given to the House to discuss the statement made by the Lord Privy Seal?
§ The Prime MinisterThe business for next week will be:
§ Monday.—Motion to consider the Report from the Select Committee on the Official Secrets Acts and Motion for the re-appointment of the Select Committee; further consideration of the Public Works Loans Bill.
§ Tuesday.—Second Reading of the Cancer Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Financial Resolution.
606§ Wednesday.— Private Members' Motions will be considered.
§ Thursday.—Report and Third Reading of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Bill, which it is hoped will be reported from the Standing Committee early next week; Second Reading of the Mining Industry (Welfare Fund) Bill.
§ Friday.—Private Members' Bills will be considered.
§ On any day, if there is time, other Orders will be taken.
§ In view of the objections which have been raised in many quarters, the Second Reading of the Milk Industry Bill will be postponed pending further discussion and re-examination of the whole milk problems.
§ Perhaps I may say that we hope to conclude to-night the Debate on the Second Reading of the Criminal Justice Bill and the Committee stage of the Money Resolution. We also hope that there will be an opportunity of considering the Second Reading of the Public Works Loans Bill and the Committee stage of the Money Resolution.
§ In reply to the question of the Leader of the Opposition about the statement just made by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal, of course I recognise that the House will desire to have time to discuss it, and I shall be happy to afford an opportunity for that discussion as arranged through the usual channels.
§ Mr. AttleeThe Cancer Bill has been put down at very short notice. I understand that there has been no time for discussion with the local authorities, and as the Bill involves the placing of a charge on local authorities, and particularly involves a charge for voluntary hospitals on local authorities, would it be possible to postpone the discussion of the Cancer Bill until these conversations have taken place?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is certainly a pertinent point, and I suggest that it should be discussed through the usual channels.
§ Mr. BennIn reference to the Official Secrets Acts Debate, on what Motion is it proposed to discuss the report?
§ The Prime MinisterWe shall put down a Motion, after the usual preliminary discussion.
§ The Prime MinisterI am not prepared to say at the moment in what terms the discussion will take place.
§ Mr. BennI do not want to trouble the Prime Minister, but he realises my point. I ask whether he is conscious that there will be needed a Motion in reference to the report itself, apart from the appointment of the committee, and there may be the further necessity for some discussion on an Instruction.
§ The Prime MinisterI am fully conscious of all that.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsWill the Milk Bill be brought forward this year or next year?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are going into that question afresh.
§ Sir E. GriggWill my right hon. Friend arrange to give two days to the Debate on the statement of the Lord Privy Seal? I do not wish to minimise the importance of the Criminal Justice Bill, but I think that the statement of the Lord Privy Seal is at least as important, and we have been given two days for discussion of the Criminal Justice Bill.
§ The Prime MinisterI could not give an undertaking of that kind at this stage, but, as I have said, a discussion will be arranged.
§ Mr. LansburyIn view of the fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has told us that more money is to be raised by loan for armaments, and now we are told that the man-power and woman-power of the nation are to be organised, do the Government wish the country to believe that a war of gigantic dimensions is inevitable?
§ The Prime MinisterCertainly not.
§ Mr. LansburyMay I not ask the Prime Minister what is in the Government's mind in making such gigantic preparations for a great war?
§ Mr. SpeakerWe have disposed of that question for the moment.
§ Mr. ManderArising out of the question on Business, may I ask whether the Prime Minister proposes to move a 608 Resolution to put down the rebellion over the Milk Bill?