§ Mr. Arthur GreenwoodMay I ask the Leader of the House if he has any statement to make on the course of Business for to-day?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)Yes, Sir. We propose to proceed with the Business as announced on Thursday, but it may be for the convenience of the House if I say that we do not propose to ask the House to take the Money Resolution in connection with the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Bill.
§ Mr. GreenwoodSupposing the Debate on the National Fire Services Regulations (Indemnity) Bill takes a considerable time, will that not prejudice the Second Reading of the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Bill?
§ Mr. EdenThat point was put to me on Thursday, when I said that I hoped we would make swift progress with the Indemnity Bill and pass on to the Hous- 1170 ing Bill. We do not want to be unreasonable, but we hoped the former Bill might be finished early, and, if it fell out that way, I should like to start making progress with the Housing Bill.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI should like to enter a caveat. If the House does continue a long Debate on the first Bill, I shall be bound to make a protest against continuing with the second Bill.
§ Mr. EdenLet us see how we get on. At this stage of the Session, I should like to make progress with it.
§ Mr. BellengerMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he proposes to take the Motion on Parliamentary Elections (Registration Regulations) to-day, as these may not be so formal as they appear?
§ Mr. BuchananSurely, that makes a stronger case than ever for not proceeding with the Housing Bill. These Regulations need some explanation. I ask the House again to look at this housing question seriously. Of all social problems, this is the worst, and I do not think it is a good thing to make housing a secondary issue in this House.
§ Mr. EdenI regret the circumstances which have put us in this position, but I certainly do not want to keep the House very late. At the same time, we do want to get on with business. I shall be here myself, and if we make good progress, I think we can get on with the second Order. Regarding the other Order, I was informed that there is not any dispute about it.
§ Mr. DribergWould it not be possible, if this Debate does run for a long time, to take the Adjournment Debate on Friday, and have the Housing Bill on Thursday?