§ Mr. H. MorrisonYes, Sir. The Business for next week will be as follows:
Monday, 26th January—A Debate on Welsh Affairs will take place on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.
Tuesday, 27th January—Committee stage of the Princess Elizabeth's and the Duke of Edinburgh's Annuities Bill and of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Bill.
Wednesday, 28th January—Concluding stages of the Princess Elizabeth's and the Duke of Edinburgh's Annuities Bill and conclusion of the Committee stage of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Bill.
Thursday, 29th January—A Debate will take place on the Geneva Tariff Agreements. The Government will Table a Motion inviting the House to approve the action taken at Geneva.
Consideration of Motions to approve the Import Duties (Geneva Agreement) Order, 1947, and the Silk Duties (No. 1) Order, 1947.
Friday, 30th January—Second Reading of the Royal Marines Bill and of the Post Office and Telegraph (Money) Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolutions, and Second Reading of the Water Bill (Lords) and of the Attempted Rape Bill.
§ Mr. Walter FletcherWhen will the Debate on Malaya, which it was promised last Session would take place in this Session, be brought forward, in view of the urgency of the situation out there?
§ Mr. MorrisonI do not recall what happened last Session about that, but I should have thought it could quite conveniently be taken on a suitable Supply Day.
§ Mr. FletcherIt was promised by the Government.
§ Mr. Kenneth LindsayFor today's Debate, will the Government consider extending the Sitting by an hour in view of the importance and interest of the subject?
§ Mr. MorrisonI must be guided by the general feeling of the House. If it is the general feeling of the House that it would like another hour today, I shall move a Motion for the Suspension of the Rule at the commencement of public Business. I hope it will have the support of the Opposition as well.
§ Mr. David EcclesIn regard to next Thursday's Business, will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving the House some extra time for the Debate on the Geneva Tariff Agreements, as it is a complex subject?
§ Mr. MorrisonWe had better try to find out the atmosphere between now and Thursday. Perhaps, it might be-considered through the usual channels.
§ Mr. MaclayAlso in regard to Thursday's Debate, will the Government make some statement on the discussions going on now at Havana, which are related to the Geneva Tariff Agreements? Will that be debatable next Thursday?
§ Mr. MorrisonI think that is possible, but I will in any case convey the point 382 to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. Vernon BartlettMay I emphasise that today's Debate is, surely, the most important Debate on Foreign Affairs for a very long time? I hope that the House will have an extra hour.
§ Mr. Morrison:We will arrange it. There is tomorrow as well. In my experience of Foreign Affairs Debates, each is the most important that there ever was.
§ Mr. George WardShall we shortly have a Debate on Civil Aviation, in view of the publication of the accounts of the three Corporations?
§ Mr. MorrisonI think it is a fair subject for consideration under some procedure, and if that commends itself to the Front Opposition Bench we should be happy to discuss it through the usual channels.
Mr. BraddockDoes the extra time for today's Debate mean that it will be carried on tonight until 12 o'clock?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, 11 o'clock.
§ Mr. AustinIn view of the disproportionate amount of time that will be taken up by the Front Bench, may I ask whether another hour will be granted for the Debate?
§ Mr. MorrisonMy hon. Friend had better not make those dreary assumptions. He knows we cannot yet tell. I think it is reasonable that the House should have an extension, but I think one hour is enough. If it is carried on for a longer time it will become ragged.