HC Deb 14 December 1950 vol 482 cc1347-9
Mr. Eden

May I ask the Leader of the House if he will tell us the business for the week in which we return after the Recess?

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

The business for the first week after the Recess will be as follows:

TUESDAY, 23RD JANUARY—Second Reading of the Town and Country Planning Bill; and of the Penicillin (Merchant Ships) Bill [Lords].

WEDNESDAY, 24TH JANUARY—Report and Third Reading of the Local Government (Scotland) Bill; and Committee stage of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Protection) (Scotland) Bill.

THURSDAY, 25TH JANUARY—Second Reading of the Sea Fish Industry Bill, which is being presented today and will be circulated as early as possible; and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolutions;

Motion to approve the National Assistance (Adaptation of Enactments) Regulations.

FRIDAY, 26TH JANUARY—Consideration of Private Members' Bills.

Mr. Eden

May I clear up one point which the right hon. Gentleman referred to last week? In the event of the international situation requiring it, I understand that the House would be recalled, and that the Government would also give heed to any representations that we on this side of the House might need to make—I hope we shall not need to make—on that subject.

Mr. Morrison

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, there is a Standing Order which provides for this possibility, and, of course, if we received representations from the Opposition, or if we ourselves thought it right, we should certainly take those considerations into account.

Mr. Carmichael

Will my right hon. Friend say why the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Protection) (Scotland) Bill was not directed to the Scottish Grand Committee for the Committee stage, instead of to a Committee of the whole House?

Mr. Morrison

That would have been the alternative course, but this is a Bill of some importance and we thought we would elevate it to the importance of being taken on the Floor of the House, which, I am sure, will be acceptable to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Donnelly

In view of the startling revelations made in a pamphlet, "John Bull's Other Island" by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Horn-church (Mr. Bing), what time will my right hon. Friend give to debate the Northern Ireland reserved services? Would he consider arranging a Supply Day for that?

Mr. Morrison

Perhaps my hon. Friend would have a word with me and further enlighten me on that point. I am bound to say that I think any effort to stir up friction between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic is not a subject on which I enter with enthusiasm.

Mr. Janner

In view of the very considerable anxiety that continues to prevail with regard to the security of tenure of people in leasehold properties and shops will my right hon. Friend say when he proposes to take the next stage of the Leasehold Property (Temporary Provisions) Bill?

Mr. Morrison

I should have liked to take it during the week of our return, but there were representations that there would be some difficulty about Amendments appearing on the Notice Paper in time for them to receive proper consideration. On the whole, I thought we had better not take it that week, but I hope we shall take the Committee stage in the following week.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

The right hon. Gentleman said just now that the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Protection) (Scotland) Bill was being taken on the Floor of the House because it was a Bill of some importance. I hope that that does not mean that in the view of the Government, only Bills of no importance are sent to the Scottish Grand Committee.

Mr. Morrison

I am very much obliged to the hon. Gentleman. I would not say that for one moment. Indeed, I think that the deliberations of the Scottish Grand Committee in relation to Scottish affairs are of the greatest importance, and that I have been helpful in increasing the status of that important Committee.