HC Deb 08 November 1945 vol 415 cc1459-62
Mr. Churchill

May I ask the Leader of the House whether there is any statement to make on the Business for next week?

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

The Business for next week will be as follows:

Monday, 12th November—Second Reading of the Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Bill and of the Assurance Companies Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolutions.

Tuesday, 13th November—Second Reading of the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Bill and Committe stage of the necessary Money Resolution. Second Reading of the Public Health (Scotland) Bill [Lords].

Wednesday, 14th November—Second Reading of the Agriculture (Artificial Insemination) Bill and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution. Report and Third Reading of the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Bill. The House will be aware that there is also a Prayer relating to the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board Constructional Scheme, Number Two Confirmation Order, on the Paper, for consideration on that day. It will no doubt meet the general convenience of the House if it could be moved at a reasonably early hour.

Thursday, 15th November—Consideration of the first Report from the Select Committee on Procedure and of the proposed new Sessional Orders. It may be convenient if I inform the House that we agree generally with the recommendations contained in the Report. The proposed Sessional Orders will appear on the Order Paper over the weekend. Consideration of the Motion for the appointment of a Select Committee to consider the whole question of hon. Members' expenses and conditions of work, and of a Motion to extend travelling facilities, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Tuesday last. Motion to approve the Purchase Tax (Alteration of Rates) (No. 5) Order.

Friday, 16th November—Report and Third Reading of the Inshore Fishing Industry Bill. Committee stage and remaining stages of the Civil Defence (Suspension of Powers) Bill and also of the War Damage (Valuation Appeals) Bill [Lords] and the Police (Overseas Service) Bill, which are down for Second Reading tomorrow.

Mr. Churchill

May I ask the Leader of the House whether, in respect of the second item on the Business for Thursday, "consideration of the Motion for the appointment of a Select Committee to consider the whole question of hon. Members' expenses,"it will be open to that Select Committee to consider the question of salaries as well as of expenses; and also whether it will be open to them to consider the case of Junior Ministers and Lords of the Treasury? May I take it that it is intended that the scope of the Committee's inquiry should be comprehensive?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir. If the Select Committee so wish, it would be competent for them, under the proposed Motion, to deal with the matters to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred. It might be for the convenience of the House if I read the terms of the proposed Motion. It has been put down in the name of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and is as follows: That a Select Committee be appointed to consider the expenses incurred by Members of this House in connection with their Parliamentary duties, their remuneration and conditions of work.

Mr. Maxton

Does "conditions of work" include the nature of the building?

Mr. Morrison

I hardly think so.

Mr. Bowles

In view of the fact that there has been a two-day Debate in another place on civil aviation, will my right hon. Friend consider giving an opportunity for debating civil aviation during the week after next, on a positive Motion that the Government's policy is a step in the direction of the internationalisation of that service?

Mr. Morrison

I do not know about the terms, but if my hon. Friend has any ideas and sends them to the right quarter, he knows that we are willing to consider ideas from wherever they maycome. As to the Debate, I agree there should be a Debate on civil aviation, but the date depends upon the publication of the White Paper.

Mr. R. A. Butler

May I ask with regard to the Minister of Education's decision to withdraw direct grant from certain schools, whether it would be convenient for the Government if this matter was raised tomorrow on the Adjournment, on the understanding that the Business is finished at an early hour?

Mr. Morrison

If the Government get their business and there is co-operation in the various quarters of the House to get the business through with reasonable expedition, that is probably a useful suggestion. I have not been able to consult the Minister of Education, but I have no reason to think that the suggestion is unacceptable. We will do our best in the matter.

Mr. Keeling

May I ask whether the Government Whips will be put on on Wednesday against the Tummel Garry Prayer?

Mr. Morrison

That is for the Scottish hydro-electric scheme? Yes. The Govern- ment Whips will be put on. I hardly think it is necessary to add that they will be on for the Order.

Mr. C. S. Taylor

Can the Leader of the House say when the Police Bill will be taken in Committee, especially in view of the assurance given by the Home Secretary that the newly-elected local authorities will have time to consider it before the Committee stage is reached?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)

I have been in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee and there is another Bill already down to be considered by the Standing Committee before this one. I have been in negotiation with the Association of Municipal Corporations, and am trying to fix a date for a conference prior to the Bill going into Committee I have no desire to take the Committee stage until the much improved local authorities have had time to consider it.