HC Deb 06 May 1948 vol 450 cc1456-7
Mr. Oliver Stanley

May I ask the Leader of the House if he has a statement to make about the Business for next week?

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

The Business for next week will be as follows:

On Monday, 10th May—Committee and remaining stages of the Motor Spirit (Regulation) Bill and of the House of Commons Members' Fund Bill.

Tuesday, 11th May—Supply (12th Allotted Day); Committee. Debate on Oil.

Wednesday, 12th May—Consideration of Lords Amendments to the National Assistance Bill; Second Reading of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Bill; Report and Third Reading of the River Boards Bill [Lords]; and Consideration of the Motion to approve the Parliamentary Elections (Electoral Registration Regulations), 1948.

Thursday, 13th May—Supply (13th Allotted Day); Committee. Debate on the Central Office of Information Estimate until about 7 o'clock; afterwards, consideration of the Opposition Motion for a Select Committee to inquire into the signatures to the Nenni telegram.

Friday, 14th May—Adjournment for Whitsun Recess, till Tuesday, 25th May.

Mr. Ronald Chamberlain

Regarding the White Paper which the Government have issued in respect of the House of Lords' conversations, while I appreciate that, as far as the powers of the Upper House are concerned, the Bill must now take its course, as far as its composition is concerned there are certain proposals put on record in this White Paper and it might well be taken, although they were only provisional, that these were the considered views of this side of the House. Will the Leader of the House arrange for time so that those proposals can be considered, and so that the House can demonstrate that in many ways they do not go nearly far enough?

Mr. Morrison

It is perfectly clear from the document that none of the political parties is committed. That is quite explicit. I do not think there will be any advantage from a Debate in the House, and my hon. Friend's views on this subject have been made known in the course of previous discussions.

Mr. Mikardo

Can my right hon. Friend give any closer definition of the subject for Tuesday's Debate, which he described by the single word "Oil"? Is it intended to cover world oil supplies and distribution, or only domestic problems with regard to oil as a part of the currency problem?

Mr. Stanley

Perhaps I might be allowed to explain that it is a comprehensive term which would cover both petrol and petroleum products. It would enable us to discuss not only petrol rationing for cars, but also the whole problem of conversion from coal to oil.

Mr. Mikardo

I am glad of the information that it refers only to petroleum oil and not to oil, hair or to oil, palm.