§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
1. "That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £86,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1941, for the salaries and expenses of the Ministry of Health, including grants, a grant in aid and other expenses in connection with housing, certain grants to local authorities, etc., a grant in aid to the National Radium Trust, grants in aid in respect of national health insurance benefits, etc., certain expenses in connection with widows', orphans' and old age contributory pensions; a grant in aid of the Civil Service Sports Council; a grant in aid of camps; and other services.
§ Mr. Hicks (Woolwich, East)Would it be possible to have a Debate on this Vote on a subsequent date as there will be little time left to-day after the Minister has made his statement?
§ Mr. ManderI should like to join in that appeal. If it could be arranged to debate the Vote on Report, it would meet the convenience of the House generally. The only point that occurs to one is whether a discussion then could be as wide as it would be at present. Possibly extra latitude might be allowed.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)I do not know whether it would be possible, if I made my statement now in order to get the Committee stage of the Vote, for the Debate on Report to be wide enough to suit hon. Members who have come prepared to make their contribution to-day. I am not certain what the width of the Debate on Report in those circumstances would be.
The ChairmanI do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman is appealing to me for some advice on the subject, but I suggest, if that is the general wish, that the best thing would be to pass the Vote without any discussion at all, that is to say, without even the Minister's opening statement. Then, no doubt, it would be open to a full debate on Report.
§ Mr. MacDonaldThat suits me entirely. If we get the Committee stage, we will postpone the discussion until the Report stage next week.
Question put, and agreed to.
1533 Resolutions to be reported upon the next Sitting day; Committee to sit again upon the next Sitting day.