HC Deb 15 July 1948 vol 453 cc1401-4
Mr. Churchill

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he can make a statement on Business for next week?

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

Yes, Sir. The Business for next week will be as follows:

Monday, 19th July—Report and Third Reading of the British Nationality Bill [Lords]; Second Reading of the Isle of Man (Customs) Bill; Second Reading of the Public Registers and Records (Scotland) Bill [Lords] and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution; and Motion to approve the Agriculture (Special Directions) (Maximum Area of Pasture) Order.

Tuesday, 20th July—Supply (23rd Allotted Day)—Committee. A Debate will take place on agriculture, Motion to approve the draft Transferred Undertakings (Compensation to Employees) Regulations.

Wednesday, 21st July—Supply (24th Allotted Day)—Committee. A Debate will take place on Industry and Employment in Scotland; Committee and remaining stages of the Isle of Man (Customs) Bill, and of the Public Registers and Records (Scotland) Bill [Lords.]

Thursday, 22nd July—Supply (25th Allotted Day)—Committee. A Debate will take place on the Colonies with particular reference to Economic Development.

At 9.30 p.m. the Committee stage of all outstanding Votes will be put from the Chair.

Friday, 23rd July—Second Reading of the Laying of Documents before Parliament (Interpretation) Bill, and of the National Service Bill, if received from another place; the National Service Bill is a Consolidation Measure. Committee and remaining stages of the Statute Law Revision Bill [Lords] and of the Agricultural Holdings Bill [Lords] and progress will be made with any outstanding Business.

Mr. Churchill

May I ask what are the Government's intentions about Business today? If the Debate on the death penalty should run for some time it would surely not be right to discuss other important controversial matters on the Bill at a late hour? What is the right hon. Gentleman's intention?

Mr. Morrison

These are, of course, Amendments from another place to the Criminal Justice Bill. They are not the original discussions, and, indeed, there have been fairly full discussions already. Nevertheless, we recognise that they are matters of importance. On the main question of the death sentence, it is a matter of argument as to how soon the decision ought to be reached, but we thought not later than 10 o'clock. There will be a general discussion I understand and then the Division or Divisions can take place. We then propose to continue so as to dispose of the remaining Amendments from another place which I do not think are as controversial and which do not require such material length of time.

Mr. Churchill

It would certainly be a disadvantage if the remaining aspects and parts of this Bill had to be discussed far into, the night. Assuming that the death penalty issue is settled by 10 o'clock, which I dare say would be generally convenient, I trust that more time can be given to the closing phases of this Bill.

Mr. Morrison

The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that we are working towards the end of the Session. I do not think there is any other time at which we could take this. And, of course, another place has to consider the consequences of what this House does. With respect, I do not think that these matters, other than the main issue, should require a great deal of time, but I am afraid we must dispose of them tonight in order to fit in with the arrangements as between the two Houses.

Mr. Churchill

Whilst we are in the hands of the right hon. Gentleman in the matter, I hope that he will watch the Debate as it unfolds and see what is the best way of treating the House.

With regard to the National Coal Board Report, will the Government give time for a Debate? We do not think that this Debate ought to come out of Opposition time. It should not come on a Supply Day. It represents direct Government policy.

Mr. Morrison

It is legitimate that this should come out of Supply. A Report is presented to Parliament by the Ministry of Fuel and Power, and I think it is quite legitimate that it should be taken on a Supply Day. We are not too badly off either for Supply Days or for a Debate on the Appropriation Bill, if it were desired to have a Debate before the House adjourns. But I think it is legitimate that a Debate on this matter may be taken on a Supply Day or, if the Opposition prefer, on the Appropriation Bill. I think there will be two days occupied by the Appropriation Bill. It could come then.

Mr. Churchill

Perhaps it may be discussed behind the scenes—through the usual channels. Is there any immediate prospect of a statement on Germany?

Mr. Morrison

I do not think so, but, of course, the situation is known to the House. It is conceivable that there may be a statement, but I do not think there is anything immediately on the horizon, as far as Ministers know.

Mr. M. Philips Price

Can the Lord President tell us whether he can somehow find time to discuss the very important report of his own Department, the report of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy?

Mr. Morrison

There is I think available in the Vote Office, or there soon will be, the first annual report of the new Council on Scientific Policy under Sir Henry Tizard. I have always thought it would be a good thing if we could have a Supply Day devoted to a Debate on scientific policy. But it is for the Opposition to decide what they do with their time.

Mr. Warbey

Reverting to the business of the future, can my right hon. Friend say whether we are to have a Debate on Foreign Affairs before the Prorogation? We have had one on an important, but limited, aspect of the international scene, but, apart from that, we have had nothing since the Whitsun Recess.

Mr. Morrison

I do not think that it is likely that there will be time for a Debate on Foreign Affairs before the Summer Recess. We have not done badly on Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Churchill

The right hon. Gentleman no doubt means that we have not done badly in debating Foreign Affairs. But I cannot feel at all convinced that we shall be able to part for the Recess, especially in view of the Prorogation, without examining the whole of this matter and possibly dealing with the question of the recalling of the House should matters of gravity supervene.

Mr. Morrison

There would be time on the Appropriation Bill, no doubt, and that can be considered through the usual channels. I thought that my hon. Friend was putting the question to me on the basis of special facilities.

Mr. Edgar Granville

May I ask if the Leader of the House could give us an opportunity, before we break up, of discussing the decision of the Government with regard to the purchase of aircraft, either British or American, for the nationalised airlines of this country?

Mr. Morrison

I do not think that any announcement has been made about that. I do not see prospects of time being available.

Mr. Scollan

Could the Leader of the House inform us if he is satisfied that we are likely to reach the 30th July and have a Prorogation—before the war starts.