HC Deb 31 July 1941 vol 373 cc1538-40
Mr. Lees-Smith

May we be informed what will be the forthcoming Business of the House?

Mr. Attlee

The Business will be as follows:

First Sitting Day.—Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill—Debate on Coal; Consideration of Lords Amendments to the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) (Amendment) Bill, if not previously disposed of; Second Reading of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Bill; and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Second Sitting Day.—Committee and remaining stages of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill—Debate on the War Situation; and consideration of any outstanding Business.

Third Sitting Day.—Motion for the Adjournment for the Recess.

Mr. Bevan

Regarding the discussion on the coal industry on the first Sitting Day, in view of the fact that the "War Cabinet is directly involved, will arrangements be made for a member of the War Cabinet to speak?

Mr. Attlee

That will be a matter for consideration. I understand that the Minister of Mines and the President of the Board of Trade will speak.

Mr. Bevan

Is it not a fact that the Debate will hinge upon considerations of strategy and decisions taken by the War Cabinet? Will it be possible to discuss these without the presence of Ministers directly responsible for the decisions?

Mr. Attlee

The hon. Member's question opens up rather a large vista, because eventually any matter must be affected by decisions of the War Cabinet. It is impossible that on every occasion there should be a member of the War Cabinet speaking on a Departmental matter.

Mr. Bevan

Is it not a fact that a decision was taken by the War Cabinet some time ago that men should not be released from the Army, and that this lies at the root of the matter? Is it possible to discuss this unless we have a statement from a member of the War Cabinet responsible for the original decision?

Mr. Attlee

We will see what arrangements are made for the Debate.

Mr. Buchanan

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider extending the normal time of Sitting on account of the tremendous importance of the matter?

Mr. Attlee

Certainly, that will-be considered.

Mr. Stokes

Is it proposed to extend the time on the second Sitting Day?

Mr. Attlee

That will be considered too.

Captain Cunningham-Reid

In view of the fact that Members in several sections of the House wish to discuss urgent matters which they consider to be of national importance, such as price stabilisation and industrial policy. Ministry of Information, and such like, will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that an opportunity is given for such discussions to take place before the House rises for what may possibly turn out to be a very prolonged holiday, considering that it is war-time?

Mr. Attlee

It is always possible to raise such matters on the Adjournment.

Mr. Robertson

Is it intended to provide time for a continuation of yesterday's Debate which was interrupted by the Polish question? Is not the welfare of Scotland as important as that of Poland?

Mr. Attlee

It is open to the hon. Member to raise it on the Adjournment.

Ordered,

"That all outstanding Votes in the Civil Estimates and Estimates for Revenue Departments, and Supplementary Estimates, 1941, except Class VI., Vote II, Unclassified Services, Votes 13 and 15; and all outstanding Votes in the Navy, Army and Air Estimates, 1941, be considered in Committee of Supply; that this day, notwithstanding anything in Standing Order No. 14, Supplementary Estimates for New Services may be considered in Committee of Supply; that Business other than the Business of Supply may be taken before the hour appointed for the interruption of Business; that if the first two Votes shall have been agreed to by the Committee of Supply before the hour at which the Chairman is directed, by paragraph 6 of Standing Order No. 14, to put forthwith certain Questions, the Chairman shall proceed to put forthwith those Questions and that for the purposes of the Standing Order the Unclassified Services of the Civil Estimates shall be treated as a single class."—[Mr. Attlee.]

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)."—[Mr. Attlee.]