HC Deb 27 November 1941 vol 376 cc899-900
Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

May I ask the Lord Privy Seal whether he will state the Business for the next Sittings of the House?

The Lord Privy Seal

The Business will be as follows:

First and Second Sitting Days.—A Debate will take place on Man-power and Production, on the Government Motion which is on the Order Paper.

Third Sitting Day.—We shall make progress with the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill and take the Second Reading of the Education (Scotland) Bill.

Mr. Lindsay

In view of the fact that during the Debate on the Gracious Speech many speeches have been made from all sides of the House, including an outstanding contribution by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Walsall (Sir G. Schuster), on the disparity between the civilian remuneration of workers and those in the Civil Service and that of the Fighting Services, are we to have any reply in the concluding speech to-day to wind up the Debate on the Address?

Mr. Attlee

To-day a discussion is to take place on the Amendment to be moved by the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern), and the reply, therefore, will be to that Amendment.

Wing-Commander James

In view of the fact that the Prime Minister said last Thursday that this matter would be dealt with if there was a general desire for a Debate, and that this desire has been shown throughout the Debate, can we have a reply to that very prominent question? Would the right hon. Gentleman look into the concluding paragraph of the leading article in the "Times" to-day?

Mr. G. Macdonald

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind that it will be necessary to have a full investigation into the wages that are paid and that there are many exaggerated statements, both here and elsewhere, of the wages received by munition workers?

Mr. Attlee

I will bring all these points to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

In regard to the two days' Debate on Man-power and Production, and in view of the likelihood that there will be a large number of Members desirous of speaking, are the Government prepared to consider extending the time on either or both days so that full scope can be given?

Mr. Attlee

It depends how the Debate goes.