HC Deb 20 May 1943 vol 389 cc1242-4
Mr. Arthur Greenwood

May I ask the Deputy Prime Minister to state the Business for the next series of Sittings?

Sir L. Lyle

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. You did call my name to ask Question 73.

Mr. Speaker

I did not notice that a Supplementary Question was being asked. Maybe it was my fault, but it is after Question Time now, and the hon. Member has lost his chance.

Mr. Attlee

The Business for the next series of Sittings will be as follows:

First Sitting Day—Committee stage of a Supplementary Vote of Credit for War Expenditure; Committee and remaining stages of the Town and Country Planning (Interim Development) Bill; and, if there is time, Second Reading of the Railway Freight Rebates Bill [Lords] and of the Telegraph Bill.

Second Sitting Day—Report stage of the Supplementary Vote of Credit; afterwards there will be an opportunity to consider the Motion standing on the Paper in the name of the hon. and gallant Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Major Petherick) relating to Statutory Rules and Orders; Motion to approve the continuance in force of the Proclamation under the Government of Burma Act.

Third Sitting Day—Report and Third Reading of the Hydro-Electric Development (Scotland) Bill, and, if there is time, Second Reading of the Nurses (Scotland) Bill.

Mr. Greenwood

May I, for the guidance of the House, ask my right hon. Friend whether it is understood now that there will be a short Debate on the first Sitting Day on the stabilisation of prices?

Mr. Attlee

I will consider that. I have not had any notice of that subject being raised.

Mr. Greenwood

I understood it had been through the usual channels.

Sir Percy Harris

Will the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when the long promised Education Bill is likely to be introduced? Will it be before Whitsun?

Mr. Attlee

I think not before Whit-sun.

Mr. Granville

In view of the fact that the Secretary of State for Air gave a promise many weeks ago that we would have a full day's Debate on civil aviation, could the right hon. Gentleman tell us when we shall get that?

Mr. Attlee

I am afraid not in the next series of Sittings. If the hon. Member will ask again, I will see what can be done. The matter is under consideration.

Mr. Perkins

Do I understand that the Government are not prepared to accept the challenges now on the Order Paper?

Mr. Attlee

I cannot go beyond saying that we have promised a Debate and that we will have that Debate in due course.

Sir H. Williams

Do I understand that the Vote of Credit will be formally moved so that the whole day will be available for the Motion in the name of the hon. and gallant Member for Penryn and Falmouth?

Mr. Attlee

I hope so.

Mr. Tree

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable anxiety, not only in this House but in the country, on the subject of post-war civil aviation? In view of that, and also as we have been promised a day's Debate on this subject ever since March, is it not possible to promise that we shall have a Debate in the very near future?

Mr. Attlee

I have promised the fullest consideration with regard to having it at the earliest possible time. As I say, we cannot have it in the next series of Sittings.

Mr. Maxton

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the scope of the Debate about the Proclamation under the. Government of Burma Act, and what topics can properly be raised on that?

Mr. Attlee

A copy of the Proclamation is available in the Vote Office, and what can be brought under it is rather a matter for the Chair. It is brought about because, owing to the circumstances in Burma, the Government of Burma Act cannot be carried out at the present time.

Rear-Admiral Sir Murray Sueter

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there have been three Debates on civil aviation in the House of Lords and not one in this House? It is a most important subject, and surely we ought to have a Debate?