HC Deb 07 July 1943 vol 390 cc2101-4
Mr. Tinker

I want to ask the Leader of the House whether he will give us a little information about Business. Yesterday he announced that the Coal Bill would come before the House to-day. On getting the Bill to-day I find that it comes from the House of Lords, and I want to ask whether the House of Lords has taken the position of passing down important Bills to us. Have they the authority from the Government to do this? It seems to me that some explanation is required.

Mr. Speaker

Sir Irving Albery.

Mr. Tinker

On a point of Order. Am I not to be allowed to have an answer? I think we are entitled to some explanation on a matter of this kind, although, if I am out of Order, perhaps you will tell me, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Eden

Perhaps I can tell the hon. Gentleman that the procedure which has been followed in this respect is perfectly normal. It was purely a Business arrangement. It so happens that it was more convenient to introduce that particular Bill in another place because they were short of Business, and we have plenty. It is the ordinary Parliamentary practice that Bills have to go through both Houses of Parliament. Perhaps it may be a comfort to the hon. Gentleman if I tell him that, so far as I have been able to ascertain from the record, only one speech was made in the other place, and that was by the Government spokesman. I hope we shall be equally successful when the Bill comes before us.

Sir Irving Albery

With reference to the Motion tabled by the Prime Minister and other Ministers with regard to the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, and its continuation, is it proposed to take that at an early date?

[That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty in pursuance of Subsection (1) of Section eleven of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, praying that the said Act, as amended by any subsequent enactment, be continued in force for a further period of one year, beginning with the twenty-fourth day of August, nineteen hundred and forty-three.]

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir. I hope it will be possible to take it during our next series of Sittings. Time will be allotted for it then.

Sir I. Albery

Then my hon. Friends and myself, under those circumstances, would not propose to proceed with their opposition to the Second Reading of the Emergency Powers (Isle of Man Defence) Bill.

Mr. Stokes

Will ample time be allotted for the Debate on the Emergency Regulations?

Mr. Eden

I do not think that the definition of amplitude lies with me; it is exempted Business.

Mr. Buchanan

Yesterday the Leader of the House said he would make a statement shortly on the question of pensions. I noticed to-day in the Press——

Mr. Speaker

We are discussing the Business for to-day; Business questions can be put on our next Sitting Day.

Mr. Buchanan

Perhaps you will allow me to finish the point I was trying to make, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday the Leader of the House said he intended to make a statement on pensions. The Press is out to-day with all sorts of information—and I think fairly well-informed information—and I was intending to raise with the right hon. Gentleman not a question of Business but the fact that he said he would make a statement. It is no use hiding the fact that the Press are very well informed, but I think that the promised statement should either be expedited or that the House of Commons should be treated to such statements first.

Mr. Eden

Of course, the hon. Gentleman will not expect me to say whether the Press reports were accurate or not. I can only say that I regret speculation, although no doubt in a case of this kind it is well nigh inevitable. It is, however, the intention of the Government to make a statement as soon as possible—I hope during our next series of Sittings—so perhaps it would be well not to forecast any action until then.

Earl Winterton

Will my right hon. Friend give consideration to this point? There is a growing habit on the part of the public relations officers of the different Ministries to go to the Press and give them information in a definite way before it is given in this House. Will he approach the Prime Minister and ask that this most undesirable practice should be abandoned?

Mr. Eden

I am prepared to consider that, but I do not think it can be assumed that that practice was followed in this instance. I do not think it was.

Mr. Stokes

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it was?

Mr. Eden

I have just said that I do not think it was; so far as I am aware, it was not.

Mr. Stokes

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?