HC Deb 07 November 1940 vol 365 cc1445-7
Mr. Lees-Smith

May I ask the Prime Minister to state the future Business of the House?

The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)

The Business to be considered when the House meets again is as follows:

First Sitting Day: The Second Reading of the Securities (Validation) Bill [Lords]; Report stage of outstanding Supplementary Estimates; Motion to approve the Newhaven (Sussex) Prohibitory Order. Afterwards the Adjournment of the House will be moved in order to debate the Contributions made by India, Burma and the Colonies to the War Effort. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India and Burma and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies will make statements at the beginning of the Debate.

Second Sitting Day: Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill. A Debate will take place on the Railways Agreement and Railway Fares.

Third Sitting Day: Committee and remaining stages of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill. A Debate will take place on the Home Guard.

Earl Winterton

Since I, on behalf of several of my hon. Friends, asked for the Debate on the Contributions of India and the Colonial Empire to the War Effort, may I ask two questions? After the statements made by the Ministers, does my right hon. Friend propose to espy strangers? Secondly, will my right hon. Friend consider the point that those of us who wish to raise this question desire to deal with it in its widest aspect, both from the point of view of the economic contribution and defence? Would it not be more satisfactory that those hon. Members who were successful in catching Mr. Speaker's eye and wished to raise these points should do so, and that then the Government might make a comprehensive answer on all these big questions, in view of the fact that the matter does not concern only India and the Colonies, but deals with the whole question of Imperial Defence?

The Prime Minister

This is no new situation with regard to procedure that has developed. Usually, Ministers open the Debate with a statement when a topic with which they are concerned is raised, and the House usually likes to hear what they have to say. Ministers then have the opportunity of replying if they think it necessary.

Earl Winterton

I have had some private conversations through the usual channels, and I understand that it is proposed, in view of the vast importance of this question, to espy strangers after the statements have been made.

The Prime Minister

We might have some discussions about that through the usual channels, but it would be much better that the Debate should be open, only, of course, hon. Members will remember that we have always to bear in mind that others besides ourselves are our audience.

Mr. Bevan

In announcing the Business, the Prime Minister made no reference to the Bill to implement the promise he made yesterday about supplementary old age pensions. In view of the fact that the promise was made and broadcast to the country, is it not highly undesirable that there should be any delay between the promise and the introduction of the Bill? May we have the Bill as quickly as possible?

The Prime Minister

There may be an interval of time, but there will be no delay.

Mr. Stokes

In view of the fact that recently we have had two Debates on the conduct of the war and at the end of those Debates no Member of the Government answered any of the questions raised by various hon. Members, may I ask whether it would not be possible to arrange that Ministers should reply to such points as they can at the end of Debates?

The Prime Minister

Of course, the Government exist by the favour of the House and the support of the House, and the Government are usually given the option as to how they will state their case. If the Government felt it was necessary that there should be a reply and if it was the general desire of Members before some critical Division that there should be a reply, a reply would certainly be forthcoming, but I do not think that in these times it is a good thing for there to be too many Ministerial pronouncements, especially on very delicate matters of military policy, made simply on the spur of debate.

Mr. Stokes

Does the Prime Minister realise that the present arrangement gives the impression that he is the only person who knows what is the policy of the Government? Would it not be better for somebody else to reply sometimes?

Sir P. Harris

Will the Prime Minister see that some responsible Minister is always present to take note of all important points made in a Debate?

The Prime Minister

I understand that in the Debates in question, my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council and my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal were present. They are highly responsible Ministers and know every detail of the policy of the Government; they were perfectly free to reply had they considered that the situation warranted it.

Mr. Sorensen

May I ask whether the Debate on India will include the political aspect as well as the military aspect, particularly in view of the recent arrest of Mr. Nehru?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. The Debate will take place on the Motion for the Adjournment, with all the usual latitude.