HC Deb 25 July 1944 vol 402 cc596-7
Mr. Greenwood

Has the Leader of the House any statement to make about an alteration in Business and will such alteration affect the Prime Minister's forthcoming statement?

Mr. Eden

There is no change in the arrangement for the Prime Minister's statement and the Debate on the war situation but, as regards this week, in order to allow more time for consultation, we propose to postpone the Second Reading of the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Bill, which was announced for Friday, and to take instead the Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill, upon which a Debate on Indian affairs will take place. We propose to take the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Bill in the following week.

Mr. Bowles

Will the Prime Minister's statement be made on the Consolidated Fund Bill?

Mr. Eden

Yes, and the Debate will take place.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Is there any likelihood of extending the time for the Indian Debate if a large number of Members want to speak? We have had only one Debate on India in the whole of the Session, and it is a large subject.

Mr. Eden

It is a Friday and it has never been our custom to extend our hours on a Friday. I should like to consider it.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

In view of the conclusion of the Bretton Woods Conference, can my right hon. Friend say if an opportunity will be offered to the House for consideration of the results of that Conference before we rise?

Mr. Eden

No, it was not the intention of the Government to provide facilities for that before the House rises.

Mr. Tinker

If the right hon. Gentleman gets any information about the position in Germany, I suppose he will make it known to the House?

Mr. Eden

Yes, I think the hon. Member may be assured of that. If I have been specially cautious to-day, it was after consideration by the Cabinet last night and we thought that a cautious note was the right one to strike.

Mr. Denman

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to make any reference to the German reply to our representations on the shot officers?

Mr. Eden

I should like to see that on the Paper.