§ Mr. Arthur GreenwoodMay I ask the Leader of the House to state the Business for next week?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)On Tuesday it is proposed to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on going into Committee of Supply on the Army Estimates, 1945, and to consider Votes A and 1 and Army Supplementary Estimate, 1944, in Committee.
§ Wednesday—Second Reading of the Income Tax Bill and Committee stage of the necessary Ways and Means Resolution.
§ Thursday (2nd Allotted Supply Day)—Report stage of Navy, Army and Air Estimates and of outstanding Civil Supplementary Estimates.
§ Friday—Second Reading of the Welsh Church (Burial Grounds) Bill; Committee and remaining stages of the Limitation (Enemies of War Prisoners) Bill [Lords], and of the Ministry of Fuel and Power Bill; Motion to approve the two Purchase Tax Orders relating to Utility Fur Garments.
§ I think I should warn the House that, if the Motion to alter the present hours of sitting is agreed to to-day, the new arrangement will operate from Tuesday 2230 next; and I should also warn the House that it will be necessary, of course, to suspend the Rule on Tuesday and on Thursday, as is customary when Service Estimate days are taken, in order to obtain the necessary Business.
§ Mr. Arthur JenkinsCan the right hon. Gentleman say when it is intended to take the Second Reading of the Distribution of Industry Bill?
§ Mr. JenkinsWill it be before Easter?
§ Mr. MagnayIs it not of the utmost importance that the Bill should come on as soon as possible?
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes the right hon. Gentleman seriously suggest that on the first day of the change in the hours of sitting he proposes to suspend the Rule?
§ Mr. ShinwellI am not asking hon. Members opposite but the Leader of the House, who can speak with authority. May I ask him whether he really suggests that the Rule should be suspended, which might mean that we could go on for several hours after half-past nine—
§ Mr. Shinwell—thus inconveniencing Members who live on the outer perimeter of the London area; and is that a fair arrangement, and has he considered transport for the night?
§ Sir Percy HarrisIs not my right hon. Friend aware that, if the House of Commons wants to pass the social programme that has been outlined, it must be determined and prepared to sit late?
§ Mr. EdenWhat we are doing, as the hon. Gentleman the Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell), with his long knowledge of this House will know, is customary. It is to suspend the Rule when we take the Service Estimates in order to be sure to get the Estimates, but I see no reason why the House should sit late on that occasion, and I hope that it may not do so. It is only the normal precautionary measure. If we are to get through the programme we must have Standing Com- 2231 mittees sitting in the mornings in order to do it.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs the right hon. Gentleman is so anxious to comply with the request of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris), who leads the Liberal Party, why not meet on Monday and use that day for the purpose of getting the Business through?
§ Mr. EdenThat is certainly another possibility which might usefully be discussed. For the moment I was dealing with the Business for next week upon the days so far agreed by the House.
§ Mr. Edgar GranvilleCan the right hon. Gentleman give an indication whether we shall have an opportunity of discussing the Government White Paper on Civil Aviation before the Minister for Civil Aviation leaves for the Conference in South Africa?
§ Mr. EdenNo, Sir, I could not give that assurance but I hope that the White Paper will be presented before then.
§ Mr. GallacherMay I have an answer to the question I have asked every week for the last three weeks? When are we going to get the Bill on Scottish Education?
§ Mr. EdenI can make some progress on my answer of last week. We hope to present the Bill next week.