HC Deb 11 December 1947 vol 445 cc1198-201
Mr. Eden

Will the Leader of the House tell us the Business for next week?

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

The Business for next week will be as follows:

Monday, 15th December—Report and Third Reading of the Overseas Resources Development Bill: Motions to approve the draft Harlyn Bay and Rock Bay (Cornwall) Coast Protection Orders; and Motions to approve the Biscuit (Charges) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order, and several Double Taxation Relief Orders.

Tuesday, 16th December—Second Reading of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Bill and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Wednesday, 17th December—Committee stage of the Civil List Resolutions and Consideration of the Report from the Select Committee on the House of Commons Members' Fund. I may say that there will be a Treasury factual White Paper in relation to the Members' Fund which will be available, I hope, in the Vote Office tomorrow.

Thursday, 18th December—Report stage of the Civil List Resolutions upon which a Bill will be brought in. It is hoped that the Report stage of the Resolutions will be treated as formal. Afterwards the Adjournment of the House will be moved and a Debate will take place on the White Paper relating to Capital Investment in 1948.

Friday, 19th December—It is proposed to Adjourn for the Christmas Recess until Tuesday, 20th January, 1948.

Mr. Eden

In connection with Thursday's Business, would the right hon. Gentleman perhaps consider the suspension of the Rule for one hour for the discussion on the Capital Investment programme? It is an issue of very great interest to the House, and although we all hope that the previous Business may be formal, it would seem fair to give that extra time.

Mr. Morrison

Yes, I think that is a reasonable proposal, and we shall be pleased to make an arrangement to that end.

Mr. Eden

I have one more question about the Business after the Christmas Recess. Will the Leader of the House bear in mind that we would like to have an early opportunity to discuss the Geneva trade agreement which, had it been possible, we would have preferred to discuss before Christmas?

Mr. Morrison

We will certainly keep that in mind. It was not a question of lack of time before Christmas; it was that, because of certain technical matters, we were not quite ready. We will certainly bear that in mind.

Mr. R. Chamberlain

Will my right hon. Friend consider giving a little time next week for a full discussion on the question of the Russian wives of British ex-Service men, with Mr. Molotov in the Gallery if possible, so that he can judge the strength of feeling in this matter?

Mr. Morrison

I am afraid I could not give time for that. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has done all he can. Of course, whether you, Mr. Speaker, will call that subject on the day of the Adjournment, it is not for me to decide, but I do not think we can give official time, and I do not think I had better give any direction to Mr. Molotov as to whether he should be in the Gallery or not.

Sir H. Morris-Jones

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, on Wednesday's Business, which concerns the Report of the Select Committee on the Members' Fund, whether he will take into consideration the question of putting the Motion in rather wider terms than the terms of reference of this Select Committee, in view of the fact that there are several hon. and right hon. Members who feel that a wider discussion should take place than the restricted discussion now possible?

Mr. Morrison

We shall consider that and discuss it through the usual channels. I have it in mind to have a Motion, "That the Report be now considered," or something like that, which would give an opportunity for a wider discussion. We shall have to see what is the feeling of the House and whether a subsequent Motion could be moved to express an opinion on principle, as to which way the House would like to go. However, this is eminently a House of Commons matter, and we cannot very well anticipate the Debate. We will see.

Mr. H. D. Hughes

Will my right hon. Friend say whether an early opportunity can be found after the Recess for the House to discuss the White Paper on Services Land Requirements published yesterday?

Mr. Morrison

We shall consider that.

Mr. Douglas Marshall

In view of the fact that the Harlyn Bay and Rock Bay (Cornwall) Coast Protection Orders will come up for discussion on Monday, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that his hon. Friend the Member for Northern Cornwall (Mr. Horabin) has been away ill, and would he consider deferring this Debate until after the Recess?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir. This has been deferred already in order that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health might have some talks. I think it had better be taken, because it ought to be proceeded with.

Mr. E. Fletcher

May I ask whether, in view of the fact that on Monday and Tuesday Government Business came to an end very early, my right hon. Friend will reconsider a partial restoration of Private Members' time?

Mr. McGovern

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether or not the evidence given before the Select Committee on the Civil List proposals is available yet?

Mr. Morrison

I understand that the Report of the Select Committee is available. I do not think it is customary, in connection with these proceedings, for reports of evidence to be published.

Mr. Stokes

Are we to understand from my right hon. Friend's statement that the fairly widespread reports in the Press that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be making a statement on the progress of his economic plan are without foundation, or that the Chancellor will make a statement on Thursday to this House?

Mr. Morrison

I have not heard about any statement in this House. It may be that my right hon. and learned Friend is having one of his periodical Press conferences, but that would be ordinary business.

Mr. Eden

Will the Leader of the House bear in mind that possibly the statement is in connection with the Debate on Thursday, but if there is an important statement of that character to be made before the House adjourns, we would like it to be made in this House.

Mr. Morrison

Of course. I thought my hon. Friend was on the wider, general economic position, but certainly the Chancellor will have something to say on Thursday, and I am sure he will give the House information in relation to the White Paper and any matters properly related to it.

Mr. D. Marshall

Further to the point I raised with the Lord President, would he not reconsider the matter, in view of the fact that farmers have had the right to draw this sand since the Charter granted by King James I? Will he defer these orders until after Christmas?

Mr. Stokes

Before my right hon. Friend answers that question may I ask is he aware that in the days of King James I there were no motor lorries?

Mr. Morrison

I think we must go ahead with this.