§ The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)The Business for next week will be as follows:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 15th, 16th and 17th November—Second Reading of the Iron and Steel Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.
Thursday, 18th November—Committee stage of the Wireless Telegraphy Bill.
Friday, 19th November—Second Reading of the Judges Pensions (India and Burma) Bill, and of the Colonial Loans Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolutions.
§ Mr. EdenAm I right in supposing that on Wednesday the right hon. Gentleman proposes to suspend the Rule so that the whole of the three days may be available for the Second Reading and the Money Resolution taken thereafter?
§ Mr. MorrisonWell, 1 had assumed that the House, in the discharge of its financial responsibilities, would want to devote part of the time on the third day to the Money Resolution. But, of course, if it is the wish of the Opposition—who properly have a material voice in this matter—that the whole of the third day should be devoted to the Second Reading and that the Money Resolution should go through pro forma, after 10 o'clock——
§ Mr. ChurchillNo, certainly not.
§ Mr. MorrisonIf the Leader of the Opposition is going to intervene and wants a Debate on the Money Resolution, then the Money Resolution must be taken within the time before 10 o'clock. But I am quite agreeable, if it is understood that the Money Resolution will go through pro forma after 10 o'clock, to suspend the Rule for that purpose.
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, I thought so too.
§ Mr. EdenNaturally, I cannot give any undertaking about taking the Money Resolution pro forma. After looking for precedents here, we see that on the Transport Act, for instance, we had three full days and the Money Resolution was taken after 10 o'clock. I was suggesting that on this occasion we should follow the same procedure as was followed on the Transport Act.
§ Mr. MorrisonI must understand. If there is to be substantial debate on the Money Resolution, then, with great respect, I cannot agree to its coming after ten o'clock. If it is understood that there is to be no substantial debate and that we shall get it through pro forma, that is all right. I understand that was the case with the Transport Act.
§ Mr. MorrisonWell, that can be discussed through the usual channels. What I am not willing to do is to give additional time, as a consequence of which my hon. Friends are not released until the middle of the night. I am just not willing to do it.
§ Mr. MorrisonI quite agree, but it is the Leader of the Opposition.
§ Mr. EdenNo, that is not fair. We were certainly under the impression that the procedure followed with the Transport Act was to be followed again. If that is not the case, we had better begin our discussions all over again.