HC Deb 15 November 1945 vol 415 cc2342-3
Mr. Boothby

I would ask, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, if you will be good enough for the convenience of the House to indicate what Business is to be taken tomorrow.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

If the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby), who has the Adjournment, rises in his place in order to discuss the importation of American films he will have an opportunity of catching my eye. After allowing a reasonable time for that Debate, I hope that there will be ample time for a Debate on U.N.R.R.A., which many other hon. Members desire. As to the question of a general Ruling on the subject of matters raised on the Motion for the Adjournment in the future, Mr. Speaker will, no doubt, be willing to make an announcement from the Chair on request.

Mr. Boothby

I should like to give notice that next week I will ask Mr. Speaker to give a Ruling on that subject. It would be desirable that we should have this question of Debates on the Adjournment cleared up, and I would venture to submit for the consideration of Mr. Speaker that if the Government and the Opposition decide that it would be convenient to debate some important topic on the Adjournment that that should be announced in the Business of the week; but I submit further that the Adjournment Motion at the end of an ordinary day's business is the best opportunity that Private Members have to raise matters and the time should be given to those Private Members. If they happen to have more than half-an-hour it is their good fortune, and it should not be counted against them. I submit, with all due humility, that the action of the Noble Lord the Member for Horsham (Earl Winterton) the other day—

Earl Winterton

On a point of Order. May I ask how exactly this arises; and if the hon. Member is going to make a speech on the subject, shall I be allowed to reply?

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

The hon. Member was in Order in giving notice that he intended to put his point to Mr. Speaker, but the matter is entirely one for Mr. Speaker's discretion and the other questions do not appear to arise.

Mr. Bowles

May I ask whether the Leader of the House has considered the suggestion I put to him about suspending the Rule today?

Mr. H. Morrison

I would prefer to see how we get on. I would be prepared to consider it during the afternoon, but I do not want to give a decision right off.