HC Deb 01 August 1951 vol 491 cc1467-8
Mr. R. A. Butler

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he has any statement to make on business?

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

Yes, Sir. The business for the first week after the summer Recess will be as follows:

TUESDAY, 16TH OCTOBER—Debate on the new Valuation Lists.

WEDNESDAY, 17TH OCTOBER—Debate on Fuel Production.

It is expected that Prorogation will take place on Thursday, 18th October, and that the new Session will be opened on Tuesday, 23rd October.

I would remind the House that power already exists for Mr. Speaker, on representations being made by the Government, to call the House together at an earlier date, if such a course should be necessary in the public interest.

Sir Ian Fraser

Could the Home Secretary give us an assurance that if there is a General Election this House will meet for Prorogation preceding the Dissolution? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the precedents suggest that Parliament should meet and that Dissolution should not take place without Prorogation preceding it?

Mr. Ede

Parliament will meet if such an event 'should occur—and this is not to be taken as a prophecy. If such an event should occur Parliament will meet to prorogue.

Proceedings on the Motions standing in the name of Mr. Clement Davies relating to the Report from the Committee of Privileges [26th July] and on the Motions standing in the name of Mr. Secretary Ede relating to the Report from the Committee of Privileges [18th July] exempted, at this day's Sitting, from the provisions of Standing Order No. 1 (Sittings of the House).—[Mr. Ede.]