HC Deb 27 April 1950 vol 474 cc1142-4
Mr. Eden

Can the Leader of the House tell us the 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, 1ST MAY—Supply (11th Allotted Day), Committee.

Debate on Anglo-Canadian Trade until about seven o'clock, and afterwards Debate on the problem of road haulage.

TUESDAY, 2ND MAY—Second Reading of the Highways (Provision of Cattle-Grids) Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Completion of the Committee stage of the Distribution of Industry Bill; and consideration of Motions to approve the Timber (Charges) (No. 11) Order, and the draft Police Pensions Regulations and similar Regulations for Scotland.

WEDNESDAY, 3RD MAY—Second Reading of the High Court and County Courts Judges Bill [Lords], and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Committee stage of the Coal-Mining (Subsidence) Money Resolution, and consideration of Motion to approve the National Assistance (Determination of Need) Amendment Regulations.

THURSDAY, 4TH MAY—Supply (12th Allotted Day), Committee.

Debate on the Ministry of Education Estimate.

FRIDAY, 5TH MAY—Consideration of Private Members' Motions.

Earl Winterton

Would the right hon. Gentleman give consideration to whether it is possible to have a discussion on a subject which evokes no party controversy, but which is one of great poignancy and urgency, and that is the position of refugees in Europe? It is a question in which several hon. Members on both sides of the House take an interest. Will he at any rate allow the matter to be discussed through the unusual channels of a talk between himself on the one side and the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman) and myself on the other?

Mr. Morrison

I am sure that if public notice were given of that meeting everybody would like to be present. I am afraid that I have not got time available. There are, of course, Supply Days coming along between now and Whitsun, and no doubt the noble Lord will consult with his right hon. Friends as to whether anything can be done.

Earl Winterton

It is a non-party matter.

Mr. Morrison

A Supply Day has not necessarily got to be a party row.

Mr. S. Silverman

While appreciating my right hon. Friend's difficulty about time, might I ask him nevertheless to bear in mind that there are still a great many refugees in Europe; that the International Refugee Organisation is about to come to an end, and that its place is to be taken by some other institution which will have no funds of any kind; and that in the light of those facts a discussion in the House of Commons would not be inappropriate?

Mr. Morrison

I understand all that, and I know that there is a problem. On the other hand, it does seem to me to be appropriate business to be dealt with in the way I have suggested. I think everybody in the House will appreciate that of all the countries in the world this country has not been backward in respect of refugees in the past.

Sir Herbert Williams

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Motion standing on the Order Paper in the name of the Minister of Fuel and Power, concerning the Draft Electricity (Commissioners and Others) (Compensation) Regulations, 1950, will be taken?

Mr. Morrison

I am sorry, but I do not know. We will let the hon. Gentleman know.

Miss Bacon

Is my right hon. Friend aware that although since July, 1948, there have been many opportunities to discuss the National Health Service, there has been no such opportunity to discuss the National Insurance Act; and could he give any hope of a date for that in the near future?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir; but no doubt that also will be taken note of in the appropriate quarters.

Mr. Harold Davies

Will an opportunity be afforded to the House to have a Debate on the Far East before the Whitsun Recess?

Mr. Morrison

That matter is under discussion through the usual channels.