HC Deb 06 December 1945 vol 416 cc2527-8
Mr. Churchill

May I ask the Leader of the House the Business for next week?

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

I am not in a position to announce the Business for next week at the moment, but I hope to make a statement at the end of today's Sitting.

I should inform the House that we expect to have news regarding the Washington negotiations later this evening. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister pro poses to make a statement to the House, and it will be necessary for us to propose a Motion later for the suspension of the Rule covering the Adjournment Motion, so that the House can sit until 11.30 p.m. if necessary. In the exceptional circum stances, I hope that the House will be agreeable to this arrangement. It may be convenient for me to inform the House that we propose to adjourn for the Christ- mas Recess on Thursday, 20th December, and meet again on Tuesday, 22nd January.

Mr. Molson

In view of the complexity of the whole question of the Washington agreement, will the Leader of the House give an undertaking that the House will not be called upon to take a decision on the agreement as early as next week?

Mr. Morrison

Perhaps that question could be put tonight, when I make a statement on next week's Business.

Sir Wavell Wakefield

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the promised Debate on civil aviation will take place before Christmas?

Mr. Morrison

I should think that it is very unlikely.

Mr. Butcher

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the heavy pressure on Parliamentary time, and consider curtailing the Christmas Recess, so that many important outstanding subjects may be discussed?

Mr. Morrison

I am only too conscious of the lack of Parliamentary time. I would not like to shorten the Christmas Recess, because I think that it is necessary, for the good and wellbeing of Ministers and hon. Members and their constituents.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Ian Fraser

Can the right hon. Gentleman say at what time The Debate will be initiated this evening, on this special matter?

Mr. Morrison

There will not be any Debate, and I cannot be quite sure about the time of the statement, but I should think that it would probably be about 10.30 p.m.

Mr. De la Bère

Will there be an interruption?

Mr. Kirkwood

May I ask the Leader of the House if he is making provision for a Debate regarding the naval bases at Rosyth and the Clyde? Are we to get that before the Christmas Recess?

Mr. Morrison

I think that the hon. Member must await some ordinary Parliamentary opportunity to raise that subject. I see no chance whatever of being able to give special time out of the Government's time before the Christmas Recess.