§ Mr. Lees-SmithMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make the Motion for the Adjournment for Easter?
§ The Prime MinisterI propose to make a statement on the war situation on the day the House adjourns for Easter. Instead of the usual statement on the Motion for the Adjournment, it is my intention, which will, I am sure, meet with the approval of the House, to begin by moving a Resolution expressing the congratulations and thanks of this House to the Royal Navy, the Army, and the Royal Air Force for the succession of brilliant victories achieved by His Majesty's Forces in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. I will take the opportunity, when moving this Resolution, of making my statement to the House on the general situation. It may be that parallel action will be taken in another place. The procedure is being looked into.
§ Mr. BuchananWhat will be the position if the whole of the Adjournment Debate is taken up with the matters contained in the statement to be made by the right hon. Gentleman? Has it not been the practice for many years for private Members to look forward to this Debate as one of the days they have for raising matters in which they are particularly interested? If the whole day is to be taken up with discussion of the right hon. Gentleman's statement, may not Members who have particular grievances be debarred from presenting them?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think discussion of the statement will take the whole day, and that is why I used the expression "to begin by." I do not think my statement will be controversial at all, or that it will interfere with the normal and indispensable Motion for the Adjournment.
§ Mr. CocksWill the right hon. Gentleman remember that we have not had a general Debate on the war situation since 4th December?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.