HC Deb 08 December 1942 vol 385 cc1435-6
Mr. Arthur Greenwood

Might I ask the Leader of the House whether he has any statement to make on Business?

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)

Yes, Sir. No Amendments have been tabled to the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, and we hope that the Committee stage may not occupy very long. We ought to be able to begin the Debate on the Second Reading of the National Service Bill, in which Members in all parts of the House are interested, at an early hour. We also hope to-day to obtain the Second Reading of the Workmen's Compensation Bill and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution. This is a desirable Bill, and we hope that it will be possible for it to be passed into law before the Adjournment. I reminded the House last week that under the new arrangements we are sitting an hour longer each day, in order to meet the general wishes of hon. Members, and we consider it undesirable to extend the sitting at this period of the year. I venture to suggest to the House that we might try and finish the National Service Bill by such an hour as to leave time for the consideration of the Workmen's Compensation Bill.

As to the Business for the Third Sitting Day, in Secret Session, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will himself make the opening statement.

Mr. Stephen

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is giving an assurance that the National Service Bill will be finished at the time he mentioned? We are specially interested.

Mr. Eden

I have not given an assurance; I have expressed a hope, which I trust will be fulfilled.

Miss Rathbone

When the Prime Minister makes his opening statement, will he clear up the point as to whether President Roosevelt's plea for the refugees will be carried out?

Mr. Bellenger

Mr. Speaker, I desire to ask whether you propose to call either of the two Amendments on the National Service Bill, as the first will give wider scope to raise matters which are really not dealt with in the Bill?

Mr. Speaker

I propose to call the first of the two Amendments, in order to allow Members to have a wider scope than that given by the Bill.