§ Mr. Pethick-LawrenceMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with regard to to-day's Business, and further, while appreciating the many reasons which prompt the Prime Minister to postpone his statement on the war as a whole, may I ask him whether he appreciates the very grave anxieties felt in all parts of the House with regard to the situation in the Far East and the 207 importance of having a discussion on it before that situation further deteriorates?
§ The Prime MinisterNaturally I share the anxieties that are felt at the war in the Far East, but I also share the growing confidence, which I think may also be justified, as to the eventual outcome of this terrible struggle. I propose to devote the first three Sitting Days after 25th January to a general Debate upon the war situation. I think it might be more agreeable to the House if this Debate opened on a Motion for the Adjournment. Should, however, the Debate disclose any situation which seems to involve a challenge to His Majesty's Government, I shall on the second or third Sitting Day put down a Vote of Confidence. As relevant Amendments in any form can be moved to such a Motion, Members would be able to state any differences they may have with the Government in the most effective form, and the House would be enabled to express its opinion not only in speeches in the Debate, but, if it were so desired, in a Division. I propose myself to open the Debate and, if necessary, to wind it up.
Meanwhile, the immediate Business will be as follows:
First Sitting Day—Business previously announced, of which the House is aware.
Second Sitting Day—There is an important Measure, the Landlord and Tenant (Requisitioned Land) Bill, already announced, of which we hope to get the Second Reading and the Committee stage of the Money Resolution.
Third Sitting Day—The Government will be willing to give facilities for a Debate on the Defence of Airfields, upon which there has lately been considerable discussion out of doors. The House and the country are naturally interested in the arrangements recently outlined by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal. On the whole, we consider that this Debate should be in public, though this will necessarily impose restraint upon the discussion of the operational aspect. The Debate will take place on a Motion moved by the Secretary of State for Air.
The other Motion to which I referred will be fitted in as convenient either on the second Sitting Day or the third Sitting Day.