BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 22 May 1941)

§ Mr. Lees-Smith
May I ask the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the forthcoming Business of the House?

§ The Lord Privy Seal
The Business will be as follows:
On the first Sitting Day—Report and Third Reading of the Liabilities (War-Time Adjustment) Bill [Lords] and the Second Readings of the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) (Amendment) Bill and the Temporary Migration of Children (Guardianship) Bill [Lords]
On the second Sitting Day—Motion to approve the Central (Coal Mines) Scheme (Amendment) Order and the. Committee and remaining stages of the Temporary Migration of Children (Guardianship) Bill [Lords]
On the third Sitting Day—Motion for the Whitsuntide Adjournment.
If there is time, on any day, the Second Reading of the Rating (War Damage) (Scotland) Bill will be taken.

§ Mr. Hore-Belisha
If my right hon. Friend is in a position to make a statement on developments in the Mediterranean and if the situation justifies it, will he consider making such a statement before the Adjournment of the House to-day?

§ Mr. Attlee
I will bring that request to the notice of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. I think the House will agree that my right hon. Friend is always desirous to give the House the fullest information that can be given, compatible with the requirements of the military situation.

§ Earl Winterton
My right hon. Friend will appreciate that no discourtesy is intended if I ask him whether it would not save the time of the Prime Minister, who is, we know, very pressed, if he himself could make a statement, however short, on the Adjournment to-day—if the circumstances justify it—in view of the very important events which are in progress in the Mediterranean.

§ Sir Herbert Williams
Can my right hon. Friend indicate when the Committee stage of the Finance Bill is likely to be commenced?

§ Mr. Attlee
I think, soon after the Whitsuntide Adjournment.

§ Mr. Granville
May I ask whether an opportunity will be given in the near future for a discussion on the Ministry of Information? Further, as there is no official Opposition, or party politics, will my right hon. Friend consult the general sense of the House as well as the usual channels, which are slightly rusty at the present moment?

§ Mr. Attlee
We always endeavour to find out what is the general sense of the House.