HC Deb 18 February 1942 vol 377 cc1808-9
Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

I wish to ask the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any statement to make on the Business of the House for to-day?

Mr. Attlee

We propose to ask the House to pass the Ministers of the Crown and House of Commons Disqualification Bill through all its stages to-day, in order to clear the way for the Debate on the War Situation in the next series of Sittings, which the House generally desires. The Bill has to be considered in another place and must become law early in March. I hope this proposal will be agreeable to the House. We also propose to take the remaining stages of the Securities (Validation) Bill.

Mr. Pickthorn

May I ask whether His Majesty's Government are aware that though this may be necessary on this occasion it is a highly regrettable necessity, and clearly affords a very strong argument why legislation which has to be renewed annually should be brought forward six or seven weeks beforehand? Otherwise, annual renewal becomes more of a freehold than would be the case if the provision had not been put in the legislation at all.

Mr. Attlee

We had a Debate on the Report, and then the Bill had to be drafted. We wanted to take the views of the House on the Report first of all. That is the reason.

Mr. Maxton

Can the right hon. Gentle man tell me how I can proceed to put down Amendments to the Committee stage?