BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 4 April 1940)

HC Deb 04 April 1940 vol 359 cc328-9 328

§ Mr. Attlee
Would the Prime Minister be good enough to tell us the business of the House for next week?

§ The Prime Minister
The business will be:
329 Tuesday—Committee and remaining stages of the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Amendment Bill; Report and Third Reading of the Special Enactments (Extension of Time) Bill [Lords].
Wednesday—Committee and remaining stages of the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill; Report and Third Reading of the Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
Thursday—Supply, Committee (4th Allotted Day), Vote for the Ministry of Economic Warfare; a Debate on the conduct of the economic war will take place.

§ Mr. Attlee
With regard to Wednesday's business, I desire to give notice that we should like to raise a discussion, if there is time, upon the suspension of the Civil Service examinations. In regard to Thursday's business, in view of the great importance of the economic warfare and the difficulty of discussing it fully in public, we ask that the Session should be secret on that day. May I ask the Prime Minister also whether he will state for what purpose it is proposed to suspend the Eleven o'Clock Rule to-day?

§ The Prime Minister
I take note of what the Leader of the Opposition has said. With regard to the Secret Session, I recognise that the subject is one of great importance and one which it might be difficult to debate in public. I shall be very glad to make the necessary arrangements for a Secret Session. The only reason for proposing to suspend the Eleven o'Clock Rule to-day is that we desire to obtain the Committee stage of the Societies (Miscellaneaus Provisions) Bill, the Committee stage of the Special Enactments (Extension of Time) Bill [Lords], and the Committee and remaining stages of the Solicitors (Emergency Provisions) Bill [Lords]. The suspension Motion is a precautionary measure; there is no intention of asking the House to sit late.

§ Resolved, That this House, at its rising this day, do adjourn till Tuesday next."—[The Prime Minister.]

§ Ordered, That the Proceedings on Government Business be exempted at this day's Sitting, from the provisions of the Standing Order (Sittings of the House)."—[The Prime Minister.]