HC Deb 05 June 1947 vol 438 cc392-4
Mr. Eden

May I ask the Leader of the House what the Business will be next week?

Mr. H. Morrison

The Business for next week will be as follows:

On Monday, 9th June—Third Reading of the Agriculture Bill. It is alsc hoped to obtain the Second Reading of the Penicillin Bill [Lords].

On Tuesday, 10th June, and Wednesday, nth June, we shall begin the Committee stage of the Finance Bill.

On Thursday, 12th June—Report and Third Reading of the Fire Services Bill, and Committee and remaining stages of the Isle of Man Harbours Bill [Lords].

On Friday, 13th June—Second Reading of the Northern Ireland Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Mr. Nicholson

May I remind the Leader of the House or the Prime Minister, concerning the important announcement on India made earlier in the week, that the House will be anxious to be kept fairly frequently informed on many points? A Debate is very likely not desirable, but may we in some way be kept informed of developments? This is not a party question but one of national concern.

The Prime Minister

I did, in an answer to the hon. Gentleman on Tuesday, say that I would keep the House informed on matters of which the House should know.

Sir W. Smithers

Does the Leader of the House realise that he has put down the Second Reading of the Northern Ireland Bill for Friday, which is the 13th?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir, but His Majesty's Government are entirely free from those Tory superstitions about Friday, the 13th.

Mrs. Wills

Can my right hon. Friend say whether time will be found to discuss the Motion on World Federation, and when we may have time to discuss it?

[That in order to raise the standard of living of the peoples of the world and to maintain world peace, this House requests His r Majesty's Government to affirm Britain's readiness to federate with any other nations willing to do so on the basis of a federal constitution to be agreed by a representative constituent assembly.]

Mr. Morrison

I have looked at the Motion to which my hon. Friend draws my attention, but I am afraid that, in the existing state of Business, I cannot hold out a promise for facilities for time for the Motion.

Captain John Crowder

When will the Chancellor of the Exchequer make his promised statement on equal pay?

Mr. Morrison

I am not yet quite sure, but it will be during next week.

Mr. Henry Usborne

Does my right hon. Friend realise that 80 Members of this House have signed the Motion to which the hon. Lady the Member for Duddeston (Mrs. Wills) has referred, and that many of us—probably most of us—consider it an extremely important Motion?

Mr. Morrison

I follow that point. There are various Motions that are on the Order Paper. It is a point for consideration. But I do not think that, in the existing state of Business, we can find time for the Motion.

Mr. William Ross

Could my right hon. Friend give any indication when we shall have a Debate on Scotland following the publication of the Economic White Paper?

Mr. Morrison

I should have thought the convenient way would be for that to be debated on the Scottish Estimates. There is usually provision for debates on Scottish Estimates; indeed, I understood that was the intention—provided, of course, the Scottish Estimates are put down on the appropriate Supply Days.

Mr. Hoy

Does not my right hon. Friend remember that the Government allotted a full day for a Debate on the Welsh Economic White Paper; and could not we have an assurance that we shall get at least one day from the Government to discuss the Scottish Economic White Paper?

Mr. Morrison

I would point out to my hon. Friend that Wales is in the difficulty that it has no Welsh Estimates. Therefore, we made special provision in order to give hon. Members from Wales an opportunity for a Debate, though a rather less advantageous chance than will be available to hon. Members from Scotland.

Mrs. Mann

Does not my right hon. Friend realise from the figures in that White Paper, that Scotland's economic condition is of the very greatest importance to the well-being and the very life of the English people?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, I fully accept my hon. Friend's statement. Indeed, I myself went specially to Scotland to have a look at various economic questions which were affecting that country.