BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (Hansard, 4 May 1950)

§ Mr. Churchill
Can the Lord President of the Council inform us whether he has any statement to make today on the conduct of Business next week?

§ The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)
Yes, Sir. The Business for next week will be as follows:
MONDAY, 8TH MAY—Second Reading of the Foreign Compensation Bill and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution:
Second Reading of the Midwives (Amendment) Bill [Lords]; and
Consideration of Motion to approve the Purchase Tax (No. 7) Order.
TUESDAY, 9TH MAY—Consideration of a Motion relating to the Commonwealth-Burma Loan until 7 p.m.;
Motion to approve the Draft Electricity (Commissioners and Others) (Compensation) Regulations.
WEDNESDAY, 10TH MAY— Committee and remaining stages of the Newfoundland (Consequential Provisions) Bill [Lords]; and the High Court and County Court Judges Bill [Lords.]
Consideration of the Motions tabled by the Opposition relating to the Railways (Additional Charges) Orders.
THURSDAY, 11TH MAY—Supply (13th allotted Day);— Committee.
Debate on Housing in Scotland.
FRIDAY, 12TH MAY— Consideration of Private Members' Motions.

§ Mr. Churchill
May I draw the attention of the Lord President to the Motion which has been placed upon the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Northfield (Mr. Blackburn) and other leading Members of the House of Commons? May I ask him when he can offer the House the full facilities which would be desired in order to discuss the matter referred to in the Motion?

§ Mr. Blackburn
Before my right hon. Friend answers that question, may I ask him whether he agrees entirely that, while the Opposition have a perfect right under our Parliamentary system to challenge a Division whenever they like, it is a fact that the calling of " snap " Divisions—

Hon. Members
Order.

§ Mr. Morrison
In reply to the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, may I say that it is very good of him to take such a beneficent interest in the efforts of certain hon. Members? I am very sorry, but I am afraid that I cannot easily find time for the Motion. With regard to my hon. Friend's point, I fully appreciate his point of view, which any hon. Member of the House has a right to hold, about the tactics of the party on the other side, whichever side that may be. He is perfectly entitled to make the comments he has made. I am entitled to make comments, and so is the right hon. Gentleman opposite. I think that, on the whole, it would be a pity if the House as a corporate body sought to control the tactics of any political party in the House of Commons.

§ Earl Winterton
Is the Lord President aware that there is a very serious side to this matter, because this Motion not only reflects upon hon. Members on this side of the House, but, inferentially, on the House as a whole, and, surely, he will not deny to the Opposition the golden opportunity which this Motion would afford for discussing the Parliamentary conduct and character of the hon. Members who have put down the Motion, which would make headline news throughout the world?

§ Mr. Blackburn
On a point of Order. In view of the fact that the noble Lord, with characteristic gifts of courtesy, has chosen to attack my character, may I ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker, in saying whether I am not in Order in daring the Leader of the Opposition to choose this subject for a Supply Day?

§ Mr. Churchill
It seems to be another case of flying saucers. May I say that, while we should greatly welcome the Government providing us with such an enjoyable opportunity of discussing the rights of Opposition in this country, nevertheless, we could not consider it worth while to give up one of our Supply Days?

§ Mr. Paton
May I ask my right hon. Friend if he has given any consideration to the request for a day on which to debate Far Eastern affairs, and, if so, if he could indicate that date?

§ Mr. Morrison
I hope there will be an opportunity for a debate at no long distant date.

§ Brigadier Prior-Palmer
Will the Lord President consider providing any time for a discussion on the question of Civil Defence at an early date?

§ Mr. Morrison
I should have thought that that might be a suitable subject for consideration on a Supply Day. I am afraid I forgot the Supply Day idea on the last point that came up.

§ Mrs. Middleton
Will my right hon. Friend consider giving the House an opportunity of debating the Report of the Working Party on the building industry?

§ Mr. Morrison
I think the answer to that is the same as to the last one.

§ Mr. Emrys Roberts
Could the Leader of the House consider affording a date to discuss the first report of the British Electricity Authority and the area boards as we have not had a debate on electricity since that industry was nationalised?

§ Mr. Morrison
The hon. Gentleman might recall, on reflection, that I freely, out of the gladness and generosity of my heart, offered three days for debate on the socialised industries. Before it takes place, the point had better be discussed through the usual channels concerning which of the industries should be chosen.

§ Mr. Henry Strauss
For the information of the House and the guidance of the Press, can the right hon. Gentleman say by which of the forthcoming Divisions His Majesty's Government will be surprised?

§ Mr. Snow
In view of the interest shown by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and I think, the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Kelvingrove (Lieut.-Colonel Elliot), in the Festival of Britain, and the continued somewhat unkind remarks of back bench Members of the Opposition, would my right hon. Friend give consideration to the question of time being provided to reconsider the Festival of Britain?

§ Mr. Morrison
No, Sir. If I might say so, in this respect the atmosphere is steadily improving. Let it improve. A debate will not improve it, but make it worse.

§ Mr. Eccles
In order that we might know how long we have in which to consult those interested, could the Lord President tell us when the Second Reading of the Finance Bill will be taken?

§ Mr. Morrison
I am not quite sure, but it will be announced in due course.

§ Mr. Churchill
It would be a great convenience if we could know fairly soon. We have heard rumours about the middle of this month, but a little more precision would be welcome.

§ Mr. Morrison
Perhaps, if the right hon. Gentleman will let me know what he is getting ready for, it might influence me in giving a reply which, without that information, I am a little backward in giving.

§ Lieut.-Colonel Lipton
May I ask my right hon. Friend if any request has been made by the Opposition for a Debate on housing in England?

§ Mr. Morrison
That is for the Opposition to decide.

§ Sir Waldron Smithers
When will the Lord President be able to announce the decision of the Government on the enactment for the nationalisation of the steel industry, because the private firms who have smashed all records cannot now raise money to conduct their expansion-

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Gentleman is becoming intolerable with his long questions. This has nothing to do with the Business for next week, which is what we are now discussing.

§ Mr. Blackburn
Is my right hon. Friend aware that this matter of "snap" Divisions not only concerns Front Benchers but the ordinary—

§ Mr. Speaker
I do not think that question has anything to do with the Business for next week.

§ Mr. Blackburn
May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will bear in mind any representations which I hope will be made by the Leader of the Liberal Party?

§ Mr. Morrison
I understand it is the case that both sides of the House take into due consideration any representations from the Leader of the Liberal Party.

§ Mr. Churchill
Could the right hon. Gentleman or his ardent supporter say which Division that has taken place in this Parliament could be called a "snap" Division?

§ Sir W. Smithers
On a point of Order. May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker? Although I agree that questions should be addressed to the Business of the House, has it not always been usual to ask the Leader of the House when he expects to introduce a certain piece of legislation, and how long we may have to wait for it?

§ Mr. Speaker
It has not been the custom to put lengthy arguments in following that course.