HC Deb 15 November 1945 vol 415 cc2330-3
Mr. Eden

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

Mr. Herbert Morrison

On Monday, 19th November, Second Reading of the Finance Bill.

Tuesday, 20th November—Second Reading of the Emergency Laws (Transitional Provisions) Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Wednesday, 21st November—Second Reading of the Elections and Jurors Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution, and the Second Reading of the Isle of Man (Customs) Bill.

On Thursday and Friday, 22nd and 23rd November, a Debate on Foreign Affairs will take place on a Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

The House will be aware that a further Debate on foreign policy was contemplated on the return of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister from Washington, and we have arranged for the Debate to take place at the end of next week on that assumption. It is just possible that an adjustment might have to be made, but I think it will be all right, and I am in a position to inform the House that we have every hope that my right hon. Friend will be back in time.

Mr. Eden

As regards Wednesday's Business, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that this Bill was only made available to Members last night, and that it would be more convenient for the House not to be asked to proceed with Measures of such considerable importance, as I understand this Bill to be, without having at least a clear week in which to consider them? We are ready to do our best to meet the Government in this, but I would like an assurance that we shall, in future, be given a clear week to examine Bills before being asked to debate them.

Mr. Morrison

The right hon. Gentleman is on a fair point, and we shall certainly do our best to meet him. Of course, this is a Bill which arose out of the Speaker's Conference, and, therefore, the issues have been publicly known for a good time. It is necessary that this Bill, for certain legal and technical reasons, either important or essential, should become law by the end of the year. As I have said, the right hon. Gentleman's point is a fair one, and we shall do our best not to offend more frequently in the future than the public interest requires.

Mr. Eden

May I ask one further question? What I am asking for, of course, is a clear Parliamentary week, because that is what the House requires. About Thursday's and Friday's Business, as it is less than the ordinary Parliamentary two days, I would ask whether it might be possible to extend Thursday's discussion to allow a little more time in case hon. Members wish to speak?

Mr. Morrison

We will give that suggestion favourable consideration.

Mr. Horabin

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will give time for a Debate on agriculture in the near future?

Mr. Morrison

A statement is about to be made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, and I have a feeling that it would be better if the hon. Gentleman asked his question after that statement.

Mr. Pickthorn

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether His Majesty's Government have considered the date for a Debate on Palestine, and whether they have considered the possible political disadvantage—I do not mean in any inner political sense—of having an interval of a fortnight or more between the announcement to which we listened the day before yesterday and the world knowing the views of this House?

Mr. Morrison

The Government recognise that it is highly probable that the House, as a whole, would wish to have a Debate on Palestine, and, if that is so, we will certainly make the necessary provision. We did wonder whether we might not take it in connection with the Foreign Affairs Debate next week, but I am doubtful whether that would meet with the approval of the House, and I am afraid I am not in a position to give a date. There are some difficulties about the exact date at the moment, but we will make provision and it will not be unduly delayed. Some little delay may not be entirely disadvantageous, because it will give a chance to everybody to reflect upon the issues involved.

Sir W. Wakefield

When may we expect to have the White Paper on Civil Aviation so that a Debate can take place on that subject shortly?

Mr. Morrison

I hope shortly, but I cannot give a date. It will not be a prolonged period.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Going back to the subject of Palestine, may I ask if my right hon. Friend does not agree that the advantages that might be gained by delay are more than outweighed by the disadvantages of allowing the matter to remain in doubt and dispute for a longer period than necessary; and will he consider again whether one of the days next week set aside for the discussion of foreign affairs, might not be devoted exclusively to this matter?

Mr. Morrison

We are prepared to be guided by the view of the House upon the matter, but it must be remembered that the Debate next week will concern the whole sweep of foreign affairs. The result of the consultations in Washington will come into it as well. I have a feeling that if we tried to give adequate attention to Palestine, it might be difficult. Otherwise I would be very happy to cover Palestine the week after next, but I am doubtful if we can manage it. We shall debate it as soon as we can.

Mr. Eden

Would the right hon. Gentleman be agreeable to having the Palestine Debate next week, and, if the time table is difficult, perhaps he would consider Wednesday's Business being changed so that we could take Palestine? I am trying to help the Government, but, apart from that, I think it would be unwise—and I think the right hon. Gentleman agrees—to have the Palestine Debate on the Thursday or Friday? It is most desirable to keep the issues quite separate.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the difficulty of finding time for every matter, and in the light of the discussions that have taken place, would the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House arrange to have Scottish business discussed in Scotland? At the same time, would he consider the possibility of a Parliamentary delegation visiting the Highlands?

Mr. Morrison

I think, sometimes, it would not be a bad idea if the hon. Gentleman would remember the old Marxian slogan: "Workers of the world, unite."

Mr. Gallacher

On a point of Order. It is not desirable that there should be misquotations in this House. The slogan is not "Workers of the world, unite"; it is "Workers of all countries, unite." I want to see the workers of Scotland get a look in.