HC Deb 17 June 1948 vol 452 cc659-62
Mr. Eden

May I ask the Leader of the House to tell us the Business for next week?

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

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

Monday, 21st June—Report stage of the Finance Bill.

Tuesday, 22nd June—Conclusion of the Report stage of the Finance Bill.

Wednesday, 23rd June—Third Reading of the Representation of the People Bill; Consideration of Motions to approve the draft Police Pensions Regulations, the draft Police Pensions Regulations (Scotland), and the draft National Health Service Regulations and similar Regulations for Scotland.

Thursday, 24th June—Supply (18th Allotted Day)—Committee. A Debate will take place on coal.

Friday, 25th June—Third Reading of the Finance Bill.

During the week it is hoped that there will he an opportunity to deal with the various draft National Insurance Regulations.

It may be convenient with your permission, Mr. Speaker, for me to refer to the Motion standing in my name relating to Scottish Estimates. This Motion must be passed without amendment or debate. The House will recall that, on 28th April, Standing Orders were passed dealing with Scottish business. We now propose, after discussions through the usual channels, to refer the four Estimates mentioned in the Motion to the Scottish Grand Committee. The Estimates will give rise to two debates, one on Education in Scotland and the other on Health in Scotland. The Standing Committee is empowered to consider Scottish Estimates on not more than six days in any Session. We are therefore proposing to refer Estimates for discussion on two days and another Motion will be proposed later in regard to the further debates in the Scottish Grand Committee.

Mr. Eden

I wish to ask a question arising out of the request made by myself and several hon. Members yesterday to the Leader of the House on the discussion of the European Recovery Programme. Will he bear in mind that we are most anxious to discuss that Programme as soon as possible in advance of 3rd July, and if circumstances should allow, would he, therefore, make any re-arrangement of the Business at any time which is necessary to make that possible?

Mr. Morrison

I am anxious to protect the rights of the House on this matter as I think was made clear by the Foreign Office yesterday. We will do our best to keep in mind the point mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, but, obviously, discussion must go forward on the responsibility of the Government until they reach conclusions. What I am anxious about is that thereafter the House shall have its rights before the nation is committed, and we will see that there is effective consultation of the House before the final ratification is carried through.

Mr. Eden

I have one further question on another matter, that is about Malaya. The right hon. Gentleman knows of the considerable concern in all parts of the House. He will also remember that at the end of the last Session there was an undertaking that we should have an opportunity to discuss Malaya at some time. In view of the special interest would he consider, or discuss through the usual channels, whether the Government would assist us to have a discussion on this matter?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir. It probably could be most conveniently taken on the Colonial Office Vote. I am in some dispute with the hon. Gentleman behind the right hon. Gentleman as to what undertaking was given, but we will certainly be willing to discuss the matter.

Mr. Bowles

Is the right hon. Gentleman now in a position or will he be in a position next week, to inform the House when this Session is coming to an end, because many hon. Members are rather concerned that the Government should announce their decision as soon as possible.

Mr. Morrison

We are going into these mysteries at the moment. I quite appreciate the point made by my hon. Friend that it will meet the convenience of the House if an early communication is made, and I expect to be in a position to make a statement sometime next week.

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

In view of the importance that we on this side of the House attach to the National Insurance Regulations, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman could fix a time for the discussion so that greater justice could be done to them than was possible last night when we discussed National Assistance Regulations, and when, perhaps, rather more than two Members of the Conservative Party can find it convenient to be present?

Mr. Morrison

I thought there was a fair amount of discussion last night, and I think we shall get through all right.

Mr. Warbey

Can my right hon. Friend say when we can have a Debate on Germany with special reference to the recent Six Power Agreement? I do not wish to urge the claims of a particular Motion which some hon. Members, including myself, have on the Order Paper, but I do urge that we should have an opportunity to Debate the very great issues involved in the new policy in regard to Germany.

Mr. Morrison

I understand that there is agreement between the Opposition and the Government that there shall be a Debate on Germany, and procedure has been arranged. It is a matter of finding a convenient date. I think it would be better to take it that way than on any Motion such as that to which my hon. Friend refers.

Mr. Eden

I would make it clear that we were to have had this discussion earlier, but that it was postponed on the request of the Foreign Secretary. The reason why we need help about a discussion on Malaya is that there are not a great many Supply Days left, and there are many topics which I think the whole House would like to discuss. That is why we want a little help about the one day.

Mr. Edgar Granville

In view of the important constitutional events in the Commonwealth of British Nations which are foreshadowed or which may have taken place, will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving the House an opportunity to discuss these matters before any fresh interpretation is placed on the Statute of Westminster? On to-day's Business, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he thinks he has given enough time for discussion of the film agreement between this country and the United States even if the Front Bench speakers on both sides curtail their remarks, which is most unlikely?

Mr. Morrison

On the first point, I am afraid that I could not find special time for that—

Mr. Granville

Commonwealth relations?

Mr. Morrison

Yes. I am afraid that I cannot find special time. On the second point about the Debate on the Anglo-American Film Agreement, I am sure that the respective Front Benches will take notice of what the hon. Member has said. In my experience, I think it is only fair to say that when the Debates are limited in time both Front Benches try to take that into account and try to assist the back benchers to the maximum of their ability.