HC Deb 28 February 1946 vol 419 cc2109-11
Mr. Eden

May I ask the Leader of the House if he will tell us the Business for next week?

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

Yes, Sir. The Business for next week will be as follows:

Monday and Tuesday, 4th and 5th March—A Debate will take place on the White Paper relating to Defence.

Wednesday, 6th March—Second Reading of the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and the Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Thursday, 7th March—Supply (3rd allotted day); Committee, Consideration of Navy Estimates, 1946– 47, Vote A, Vote on Account and Navy Supplementary Estimate, 1945– 46.

Friday, 8th March—Second Reading of the Straits Settlement (Repeal) Bill (Lords).

During the week we will ask the House to consider an Amendment to the Ministers of the Crown (Transfer of Functions) Bill which is expected to be received from another place.

Mr. Stephen

May I ask the Lord President whether a day will be given for discussion of Scottish housing?

Mr. Morrison

There is a second Bill dealing with Scotland and that will be provided for in due course. Whether it will be a day or not, I cannot be sure.

Sir Henry Morris-Jones

May I ask it the Lord President of the Council anticipates when the National Health Bill will be introduced and whether he can give some time to consider the Measure in view of its very drastic proposals?

Mr. Morrison

The hon. Gentleman has the advantage over me. He has seen the Bill. I have not. I have not seen the Bill yet, although I know something about it. I cannot give a date, but reasonable time will be given between its presentation and the Second Reading.

An Hon. Member

Will it be before Easter?

Mr. Morrison

I do not know.

Mr. W. J. Brown

May I ask when the Government expect to introduce the long overdue Bill to amend the provisions of the Pensions (Increases) Act, 1944, about which we were promised consideration the day before the House rose for the Christmas Recess?

Mr. Morrison

I do no know what the position of that matter is, but if the hon. Member will remind me I can prepare to give a reply next week

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

On some days notices appear on the Order Paper about Burma and sometimes about India. Will they continue to appear on the Paper?

Mr. Morrison

They will continue to appear on the Paper until they are taken.

Mr. Nicholson

I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on his acumen. When will they be taken?

Mr. Morrison

I do not know; that is why I said what I said.