BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (Hansard, 13 November 1945)

§ Earl Winterton
As it seems likely that the Government Business announced for Friday will not take long, I beg to give notice that the Opposition will raise, officially, matters relating to U.N.R.R.A. From conversations which I have had behind the Chair, I understand that this course will not be inconvenient to His Majesty's Government.

§ Mr. Boothby
On a point of Order. I have had the permission of Mr. Speaker to raise a matter concerning the future of the film industry in this country when the Adjournment is moved on Friday. I knew nothing of this arrangement of the Opposition Front Bench, and I submit that it is in breach of one of the few rights remaining to Private Members.

§ Earl Winterton
In that case, I beg to give notice that I will table a Resolution and ask for time for discussion of this matter.

§ Mr. Herbert Morrison
If the Noble Lord would do these things in the usual way, these troubles would not arise. I understood that the Noble Lord was going to ask whether facilities could be provided on Friday. That is a convenient day. If the House could agree to accelerate the Government Business on the Order Paper, perhaps there could be an agreement that the subject mentioned, on which I understand both sides of the House would like some discussion, should be taken on Friday and an appeal made to hon. Members, who have some rights, as to whether they would fall in with that arrangement.

§ Earl Winterton
As the right hon. Gentleman has referred to me, I hope that it is not a breach of confidence to say that I was specifically asked to do this, by the Minister in departmental charge of the matter. I, therefore, gave notice to table a Resolution, to put myself in Order.

§ Earl Winterton
On a point of Order, Mr. Deputy-Speaker. The right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House has accused me of doing something which I did not do.

§ Mr. H. Morrison
I am very sorry—[Interruption]. I suggest that the Noble Lord should not make it difficult for a Minister to say that he is sorry. It is hard enough sometimes, any way. I am sorry if there has been a misunderstanding. There were conversations, and there was a suggestion made by the Noble Lord. I understood it was by way of request and that we were going to meet him. But if I try to fix Business, on arrangements made between one of my right hon. Friends and the Noble Lord, I shall get into trouble. If we try to allow this Debate on Friday, I think it will be convenient, and who knows, the official business may go through so quickly, that the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) may be heard as well.

§ Mr. Maxton
On a point of Order. I do not want to trouble you with this matter, Sir, in the position of Deputy-Speaker which has been thrust upon you, but I propose, if the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) does not raise it with Mr. Speaker, to ask for a specific Ruling on the subject, because it is an entirely new proposition to me that there can be any demand made collectively for the Adjournment Motion.

§ Mr. Boothby
I should like to say that I have not the slightest intention of giving up my rights as a Private Member. For the guidance of the House, I would ask the Noble Lord to tell us whether he is acting now, as Leader of the Opposition or not.

§ Earl Winterton
In view of the reference which the hon. Member below the Gangway has made, may I say I agree that the Front Bench has no precedence, but I submit, on a point of Order, that it is open to any hon. Member to put a Resolution on the Paper, and to ask the Government for time to discuss it.

§ Mr. Gallacher
How is it that the Noble Lord can make "a deal" behind the Chair? I have tried time and time again to do so, without success.