HC Deb 05 April 1951 vol 486 cc381-2
Mr. Churchill

Has the Leader of the House any statement to make this week on the subject of next week's business?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)

Yes, Sir. The business for next week will be as follows:

MONDAY, 9TH APRIL—Motion to refer the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) (No. 2) Bill to the Scottish Standing Committee, for Second Reading.

Second Reading of the Mineral Workings Bill and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolutions.

Third Reading of the Leasehold Property (Temporary Provisions) Bill.

Motion to approve the draft Petrol-driven Agricultural Machines (Grants) Revocation Scheme.

TUESDAY, 10TH APRIL—My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will open his Budget.

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, 11TH AND 12TH APRIL—General debate on the Budget Resolutions and the Economic Survey, which will be continued and brought to a conclusion on Monday, 16th April.

FRIDAY, 13TH APRIL—Consideration of Private Members' Motions.

During the week we shall ask the House to approve the draft House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) (Scotland) Orders.

Mr. Churchill

We understand that it is not likely that the Government will be able to issue in the near future the promised White Paper with regard to appointments to the High Command under the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Is that so? What are the prospects? May I ask the Leader of the House to remember that we have postponed a debate on the subject several times? If no White Paper is to be made available shortly, we shall have to ask for an opportunity to discuss the matter in the week after next. Perhaps that matter might be discussed through the usual channels—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—as I understand, from the usual channels, that they feel themselves completely un-clogged.

Mr. Ede

Yes, Sir. I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman and to the Opposition for the way in which this matter has been handled. There have been some conversations during the last two or three days. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence is doing all that he can to expedite decisions being reached in this matter, and he will endeavour to have a White Paper available as soon as possible. I agree that the delay has been longer than I think either of us expected. We will discuss the possibility of having a debate during the week indicated by the right hon. Gentleman if we are unable to make any better pronouncement with regard to publication than I am in a position to make at the moment.

Mr. Maclay

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he will consult the Minister of Defence to make certain that the White Paper covers the whole structure, and not only the Defence Committee, of the organisation?

Mr. Ede

I have drawn the attention of my right hon. Friend to this phase of the subject.

Major Tufton Beamish

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to find some Government time after the Budget to discuss the Motion which stands in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury (Mr. Baker White) regretting the failure of the Government to establish a department for the conduct and prosecution of political warfare?

Mr. Ede

I do not see any chance of that being discussed. I should have thought that it was a matter which might be raised during some debate on Supply.