HC Deb 26 January 1951 vol 483 cc445-6
Mr. Lennox-Boyd

May I ask the Deputy-Leader of the House whether he has any statement to make about a change in business next week?

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

Yes, Sir. Following discussions which have taken place through the usual channels, arrangements will be made for a debate on the coal situation on Thursday of next week. Business already announced for that day will be postponed, except the Motion to refer the Long Leases (Temporary Provisions) (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Grand Committee for Second Reading, which will be moved at the beginning of Business on Wednesday.

I should also like to take this opportunity of informing the House, in view of the debate on the Second Reading of the Courts-Martial (Appeals) Bill on Monday next, that a statement of the Government's conclusions on the recommendations of the Lewis Committee on Army and Air Force Courts-Martial and the Pilcher Committee on Naval Courts-Martial will be contained in a White Paper, which will be made available in the Vote Office at 12 noon today. This is the fuller statement foreshadowed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence in reply to a Question in this House on 19th September last.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

While I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the information in the last part of his statement, I am sure he will recognise that, in view of the short notice, it will be quite impossible to debate on Monday the conclusions of the Government expressed in this White Paper, even if it were permissible to do so within the rules of order governing a Second Reading debate. At the same time, having the Government's conclusion before us will assist our consideration of the Bill, and we are grateful for it.

Mr. Ede

I am grateful to the bon and learned Gentleman for his remarks.

Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any indication of when the Committee stage of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Protection) (Scotland) Bill, which was to have taken place on Thursday, will now be taken?

Mr. Ede

I cannot say. I have no doubt that conversations will have to take place with regard to that matter also.

Mr. H. Hynd

What will be the basis of the debate on coal next Thursday? Will it be on a Government Motion, an Opposition Motion, or what?

Mr. Ede

That has not yet been settled.

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