HC Deb 20 March 1947 vol 435 cc590-3
Mr. Eden

May I ask the acting Leader of the House the Business for next week?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)

The Business for next week will be as follows:

Monday, 24th March—Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill. Debate on export and import trade with special reference to imperial preference and to the Geneva Conference. Second Reading of the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill.

Tuesday, 25th March—Committee and Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill. Debate on rural housing.

Wednesday, 26th March—Committee and remaining stages of the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill and of the Forestry Bill [Lords].

Thursday, 27th March—Second Reading of the Fire Services Bill and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Friday, 28th March—Second Reading of the Treaties of Peace (Italy, Roumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland) Bill, and of the Public Offices (Site) Bill and the Committee stages of the necessary Money Resolutions; and, if there is time, the Committee and remaining stages of the Naval Forces (Enforcement of Maintenance Liabilities) Bill and of the Isle of Man Harbours Bill [Lords].

It may be for the convenience of the House if I now say that it is proposed to adjourn on Thursday, 3rd April, for the Easter Recess until Tuesday, 15th April.

Mr. Eden

May I ask the acting Leader of the House if he would consider on Wednesday's Business taking the Forestry Bill from the Lords before the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill? There is a good deal of interest in the Forestry Bill, and the other subject, though an attractive item, is a hardy annual. Can he also tell us anything about the Treaties of Peace Bill and when it will be available? I presume that all this does is to follow the precedent of Versailles, and that all the treaties already published will be in a Schedule to the Bill. I would like to know if that is so.

Mr. Greenwood

I am quite sure that the Bill is in process of being printed now. In fact, I understand that it is to be in the Vote Office today As to my right hon. Friend's first point, I am perfectly willing to consider a rearrangement of Business for Wednesday, and if it were for the general convenience of the House we might, through the usual channels, arrange to reverse the Business.

Mr. Blackburn

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he will bear in mind that apart from the Private Members' Adjournment Motions something over a year ago, this House has never discussed the fullest use of our scientific resources and manpower?

Mr. Greenwood

Certainly; 1 personally and, I am sure, large numbers of hon Members would be very glad to have such a Debate if it is convenient to arrange it.

Mr. Clement Davies

May I ask the acting Leader of the House when the Government propose, if at all, to proceed with the National Service Bill? If they do propose to proceed with the Bill, in view of the obviously strong opposition, there should be at least two days for the Debate.

Mr. Greenwood

The Government intend to proceed with the Bill. The question of time is a matter for negotiation through the usual channels.

Mr. Davies

Would it be before Easter or afterwards?

Mr. Greenwood

We are discussing the Business for next week and I would rather confine myself to that and discuss the other matter through the usual channels.

Mr. Stokes

May I ask when the Consolidated Fund Bill will be available in the Vote Office and, should that not provide an opportunity, when the right hon. Gentleman proposes to find time for a Debate on the Motion standing in my name and the names of 60 other hon. Members relating to the continued detention of prisoners of war in this country and their continued use as slaves?

[That, in the opinion of this House, the rate of repatriation of prisoners of war from this country and the Middle East should now be accelerated so that all of them may be returned to their homes by Christmas, 1947.]

Mr. Greenwood

The Consolidated Fund Bill is a very formal Bill. As most hon. Members know, and as my hon. Friend ought to know, the choice of subjects to be raised on it is a matter for the Opposition and not for supporters of His Majesty's Government.

Sir Frank Sanderson

May I ask the acting Leader of the House to state what will be the date of the Budget?

Mr. Greenwood

I cannot at this stage, but before the House rises for Easter, I hope to be in a position to say.

Mr. Benn Levy

May I ask, in view of the major importance of President Truman's recent message to Congress, whether the Leader of the House will provide an early opportunity for the House to discuss the vital question of the bearing of that message on British foreign policy?

Mr. Greenwood

I think it would really be an act of impropriety on the part of the British Parliament, while these matters are now between the President and Congress and no policy has been settled, for this House to discuss such a matter. The situation will be different when it has been settled. I cannot believe that in the interests of international relationships any good purpose would be served by having a Debate at this moment.

Mr. Levy

May we not have time when it has been passed by Congress?

Mr. Stokes

On a point of Order. May I ask whether the Leader of the House is correct in his interpretation of matters to be raised on the Consolidated Fund Bill? Surely it is a Debate on which any hon. Member can raise any subject if he gets the opportunity?

Mr. Speaker

That is perfectly true, but it is usual for the Opposition to choose the subject. It is then usual for Mr. Speaker to choose those hon. Members who are ready to talk on that subject.

Captain Crowder

May I ask whether the Prime Minister will make a further statement on the domestic fuel cuts? I thought he was going to today.

Mr. Greenwood

I understand that my right hon. Friend did not believe one was expected today. If there is any strong feeling in the House for an early one, my right hon. Friend will be willing to make a statement.

Captain Crowder

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the cuts are causing great hardship to housewives? What about the use of lifts in flats?

Mr. Speaker

I think we had better get on.

Mr. Bowles

May I draw the attention of the House to the fact that the Votes and Proceedings of yesterday stated that the House adjourned at 26 minutes to II? It should have been 26 minutes to 12. Surely we should give credit where credit is due? Secondly, if that is so, may I ask why the buses did not run after 11.30 last night?

Mr. Speaker

I am afraid it was a misprint. I agree that credit should be given where credit is due. When some of us have to sit up the whole time, it should be known. I know nothing about the buses.

Mr. Bowles

Now that the House of Commons has agreed to have buses when the House sits after 11.30., surely it is no longer the responsibility of the Government at all, but the responsibility of the officers of the House or probably yourself, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

I can accept no responsibility. It is nothing to do with me.