HC Deb 24 November 1938 vol 341 cc1947-8
Mr. Attlee

Can the Chancellor of the Exchequer say what business will be taken next week?

Sir J. Simon

Monday: Committee and remaining stages of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, and Committee stage of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Money Resolution.

  • Tuesday and Thursday: Second Reading of the Criminal Justice Bill and Committee stage of the necessary Financial Resolution.
  • Wednesday: Private Members' Motions.
  • Friday: Private Members' Bills will be considered.
On any day, if there is time, progress will be made with other Business, including the Public Works Loans Bill.

Mr. Attlee

May I ask when the Government propose to bring before the House the report of the Committee on the Official Secrets Acts?

Sir J. Simon

I am afraid that I am not in a position to announce the day when it will be possible for my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to find an opportunity for a discussion of the report of the Select Committee on the Official Secrets Acts.

Mr. Attlee

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is a Committee of this House to inquire into the action of certain Ministers, and that it is very undesirable to leave it over for a long time; and, further, a very important question with which it deals is the use of the Official Secrets Acts in respect of Members carrying on their official duties in this House?

Sir J. Simon

I bear that in mind. Of course, the House will appreciate that at this period of the Session we ought to get on with the Second Readings of very important Bills, but I feel sure that the Prime Minister will do his best to provide an opportunity for this discussion before the Christmas Recess.

Mr. Mander

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Committee will be reconstituted, in order to carry out the second part of the task allotted to it?

Sir J. Simon

I should prefer to answer that question later.

Mr. T. Williams

Is it the intention of His Majesty's Government to proceed with the Milk Bill?

Sir J. Simon

indicated assent.

Mr. Buchanan

Does not the business which has been announced by the right hon. Gentleman mean that the Milk Bill has either been dropped or that it is to be altered in some way?

Sir J. Simon

No. The question that was put to me was as to the business for next week. I gave the information relating to business next week, but not for the week after.