HC Deb 22 November 1945 vol 416 cc595-8
Mr. Churchill

Will the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House state the Business for next week?

Mr. H. Morrison

The Business for next week will be:

Monday, 26th November—Second Reading of the Building Materials and Housing Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Tuesday and Wednesday, 27th and 28th November—Committee stage of the Finance Bill.

Thursday, 29th November—Conclusion of the Committee stage of the Finance Bill, if not previously concluded; Committee and remaining stages of the Isle of Man (Customs) Bill; Second Reading of the Workmen's Compensation (Pneumoconiosis) Bill; Report and Third Reading of the Building Restrictions (War-time Contraventions) Bill.

Friday, 30th November—Second Reading of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Mr. Churchill

Has the Leader of the House any statement to make about a day for a Debate on Palestine?

Mr. Morrison

Not exactly. It is a problem of fitting in, but we intend to give a day for that if it is the general wish of the House, and to do so as soon as possible. I am not at the moment in a position to give an exact day, and it would be convenient if we were to enter into conversations through the usual channels on that matter.

Mr. Churchill

As far as we on this side of the House are concerned, we do not wish to hurry the Government as to the day for a Debate on Palestine. It must be taken at the moment least inconvenient for all concerned. Of course, next week we shall be putting on the Paper a Motion for which we shall have to ask for facilities at as early a date as possible. The Motion arises out of the extremely aggressive and offensive answer and statement made by the Leader of the House on Monday last, and his regret that there have not been enough first-class rows in the House of Commons, a very unusual wish for a Leader of the House.

Mr. Morrison

With regard to Palestine, I am very much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for his helpful position and we will try to co-operate with the Opposition in fixing an appropriate date. With regard to the right hon. Gentleman's notice that he proposes to put down a Motion, I cannot give any answer about that until 1 see the Motion. When we have the Motion, we will see what it is, and then perhaps we shall be able to consider whether or not time should be given. I cannot anticipate on that point. With regard to his last remark, I note what he said, and 1 am very sorry he was not here to share in it.

Mr. Churchill

I presume we may understand that when the right hon. Gentleman says he is reserving his judgment as to whether or not the Government should give time for a Motion, he is not in any way running counter to the long established tradition of the House that a formal Motion of Censure by the Opposition is given the necessary facilities?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir, within the proper sphere, certainly not, but I would like to see the Motion and be sure of its relevance, and be sure that it is a Motion of Censure and not an academic Motion for a theoretical Debate.

Mr. Churchill

May I relieve the right hon. Gentleman of any anxiety which he may feel as to the Motion not being an effective Vote of Censure?

Mr. Morrison

With regard to that matter, I begin to feel happier already.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

In view of the admittedly great importance of developing the export trade, and in view of the difficulties which exporters are now meeting, will the right hon. Gentleman give an opportunity to the House before Christmas to discuss that very important matter?

Mr. Morrison

I doubt whether there could be a special opportunity, but, possibly, it might be arranged on one of the days before the Adjournment. That might be a suitable occasion. I do not think we could give a special time, but anything we can do through the usual channels to facilitate a Debate on that matter, would certainly be acceptable to us.

Mr. Bowles

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can give a day, or two days, to a Vote of no confidence in His Majesty's Opposition?

Mr. Churchill

May I make the right hon. Gentleman aware that, for such a Motion, those of us on this side of the House will give full facilities?

Sir Wavell Wakefield

May I ask the Leader of the House when he expects to have the Debate on civil aviation? As it is now some time since there was a Debate on civil aviation in another place, when are we to get the White Paper, and when shall we have the Debate?

Mr. Morrison

The White Paper is in course of preparation, and I hope will be presented to the House at no distant date. Quite frankly, I would say that we are getting close to the Christmas Adjournment, and it becomes harder to fit the days in, but we have undertaken that there should be a Debate on civil aviation. 1 cannot undertake that it will be before Christmas, but, if that should be possible, I shall be prepared to give all facilities.

Mr. H. Hynd

Can the Leader of the House give any indication of the dates of the Christmas Recess?

Mr. Morrison

Not at this date, but I hope quite soon.

Mr. Pickthorn

When the right hon. Gentleman speaks of the imminence of Christmas, can he reassure us that the Palestine Debate will be before the Christmas Recess?

Mr. Morrison

We hope that that will be so, for the comfort of Cambridge University.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

While unwilling to embarrass the Government about it, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that the Prime Minister gave an undertaking to hon. Members of the House that a new policy about Palestine would not be put into operation without a statement being made upon it, and without the House being given an opportunity of considering it? Now that a statement his been made, does it not become urgent, in view of that undertaking, that a Debate should take place, for approval or otherwise of the policy, as early as possible?

Mr. Morrison

I can assure the hon. Member that I have no wish to evade the question. It is purely a matter of mechanics. It is not a matter of a new policy, in the substantive sense; there is the question of the inquiry which is pro- ceeding. But I assure the hon. Member that I will do my best to meet the convenience of all sides of the House on that matter.

Mr. C. S. Taylor

In view of the great uncertainty in the minds of His Majesty's Forces about the matter, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman when we may expect a statement on postwar terms and conditions in the Services?

Mr. Morrison

I should think not just yet. That question is very much involved with the state of the postwar world, with the security organisation and a number of other matters. We will do it as soon as we can, but it is not a matter about which we can be rushed.

Mr. Taylor

Does the right hon Gentleman realise that the Services are losing all their very best men, who are leaving because they have had no security offered to them as regards post-war service?

Mr. Morrison

I cannot give a date, but the Prime Minister has the matter actively under consideration, and will make a statement as soon as he can.

Mr. Churchill

Will it be made before Christmas?

Mr. Morrison

My right hon. Friend will try to do that, but would not like to make a firm promise.