§ Mr. Edenasked the Leader of the House if, for the convenience of the House, he could say what are the Government's intentions regarding the Committee stage of the Bill the House is about to discuss, namely, the Trade Disputes Bill, in the event of its receiving a Second Reading.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonYes, Sir. We hope to get the Second Reading in due course.
190 The Government have considered the Committee stage, and we think this is a Bill having sufficient relationship to certain constitutional principles to make it right that the Bill should be taken on the Floor of the House.
§ Mr. EdenMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman also if we may be assured that we shall be given ample time on the Floor of the House, as has always been given by every Government, of whatever party or complexion, on these particularly controversial issues?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe right hon. Gentleman may be assured that the Government will be agreeable to give such time as they consider fair and proper in the circumstances of the case.
§ Mr. PickthornWill the Government, in making that judgment, remember that, on the occasion of the passing of the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Bill, there was, I think, a 27-days' Debate?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am not a bit surprised. That was in the good old days when Governments did not want to pass much legislation.
§ Mr. EdenWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, on the contrary, it was in order to give the country a full opportunity to consider the Measure?