HC Deb 11 February 1947 vol 433 cc191-2
Mr. Eden

May I ask the acting Leader of the House what is the Business for the rest of the week, in view of the re-arrangement caused by yesterday's coal Debate?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)

Yes, Sir. We propose today to consider Supplementary Estimates in Committee, beginning with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transport, and proceeding with the other Votes on the Paper. Another day will be fixed for the consideration of the Supplementary Estimates for the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Home Office and the Ministry of Education, originally announced for today. The Business fixed for tomorrow, Thursday and Friday remains unaltered. We propose to suspend the Rule today, but we hope that good progress will be made with the Supplementary Estimates and that it will not be necessary to sit unduly late.

Mr. Eden

I think we agree with the right hon. Gentleman in wishing to make progress today, but these Supplementary Estimates are important, and perhaps he will bear in mind, regarding this further day which it is proposed to allow, that as I indicated, there cannot be an undertaking on this side that it will necessarily suffice?

Mr. Greenwood

We shall see how we get on. I think that, if the House agrees, we can finish in a reasonable time, but I should hate to see the discussion on a Supplementary Estimate broken off at ten o'clock and then have to start it all over again next day. If there is good will on both sides, we can get through.

Wing-Commander Shackleton

May I ask the acting Leader of the House, if he will consider representations which have been made for the suspension of the Rule on Thursday? The Business on that day will be the Second Reading of the Industrial Organisation Bill, which is regarded by many hon. Members on this side of the House as one of very great importance. The object of the Measure is to get greater efficiency in the private sector of industry, and many hon. Members would like to speak on it.

Mr. Greenwood

I am bound to say that we have looked into this matter carefully and have reached the conclusion that it would not be fitting to suspend the Rule as suggested. It would, I think, be stretching the normal practice of the House. If there was a very strong body of opinion, especially among the Opposition, in favour of it, we should naturally, being in a more powerful position, give way to them, but I hardly think it is a case for a suspension of even one hour.