HC Deb 17 December 1946 vol 431 cc1781-3
Sir Peter Macdonald

Regarding Business, may I ask the Leader of the House, in view of the defeat of the Government in Committee upstairs today, on a major issue regarding the supply of liquor in civic restauarants, what are the intentions of the Government regarding the Civic Restaurants Bill?

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

This is the first I have heard about it.

Mr. Bowles

On a point of Order. May I submit to you, Sir, that this is a matter concerning a Standing Committee upstairs, of whose proceedings the House can have no official knowledge until the Committee report back to the House?

Mr. Speaker

I think the hon. Gentleman is perfectly correct. In fact, I was about to interrupt the hon. Member who put the question, before the answer was given. Whatever may have appeared in the Press, we know nothing officially of what has happened in Committee until it is reported to the House.

Captain Crookshank

Though we do not officially know anything about it, it is very interesting, is it not?

Mr. Speaker

I think perhaps it would not be suitable for me to make any comment.