HC Deb 21 June 1951 vol 489 cc709-11
Mr. Churchill

My I ask the Leader of the House whether he has any information to give us about the business for next week?

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

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

MONDAY, 25TH JUNE—Second Reading of the Festival of Britain (Additional Loans) Bill; and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution until 7 o'clock;

Committee and remaining stages of Sir William Turner's Hospital at Kirkleatham Bill;

Second Reading of the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Bill; and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution;

Consideration of Motions to approve the Draft Lace Industry Orders; the Draft National Health Service (Superannuation) (Amendment) Regulations and similar Regulations for Scotland; and the Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation) Scheme.

TUESDAY, 26TH JUNE—Supply (17th Allotted Day). Committee.

It is proposed to take Supply formally and then debate the Motion relating to Tshekedi Khama standing on the Order Paper in the names of the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Montgomery (Mr. C. Davies) and other Members of the Opposition parties.

WEDNESDAY, 27TH JUNE—Second Reading of the Ministry of Materials Bill.

We shall also ask the House to take the Committee and remaining stages as well as the Money Resolution. This proposal has been agreed through the usual channels following the rearrangement of business made for today.

THURSDAY, 28TH JUNE—Beginning of Report stage of the Finance Bill.

FRIDAY, 29TH JUNE—Report and Third Reading of the Mineral Workings Bill.

If there is time, further progress will be made with the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Bill.

Mr. Churchill

With regard to the Second Reading of the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Bill, and the Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution, would it be possible to carry the Second Reading over from Monday to Friday, on the understanding that, if the Second Reading then takes a larger share, the Committee stage and the rest of the business on this subject will be concluded at the same time?

Mr. Ede

I think that is a matter which we might be able to discuss through the usual channels.

Mr. Crosland

Can my right hon. Friend say when he proposes to give an opportunity of discussing the very important Government White Paper on resale price maintenance?

Mr. Ede

No, not yet.

Sir Herbert Williams

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Indemnity Bill in connection with Statutory Instrument No. 413 will be introduced, having regard to the promise that it would be before the end of this month?

Mr. Ede

No, I cannot give the answer to that.

Mr. A. Edward Davies

Will my right hon. Friend note that the Annual Report of the British Transport Commission is expected shortly, and will he arrange for time for its discussion, since there are so many problems relating to this industry?

Mr. Ede

That matter will be taken into consideration.

Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

Can my right hon. Friend say when he will be able to find time for a debate on the Beveridge Committee's Report on the B.B.C.?

Mr. Ede

We are under a pledge to have a debate on that before the House rises for the Summer Recess.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Can the right hon. Gentleman find time for a debate on the Motion calling for an end to the war in Korea? Is he aware that this war has been going on for 12 months, and that an Amercan general has called it the bottomless pit? Is it not time that this House discussed Korea?

Mr. Ede

I see no chance of discussing that Motion, but I have no doubt that discussion on the subject will probably take place on some other issue.

Mr. Nally

During the last four months, my right hon. Friend has been asked from both sides of the House, and notably by the Leader of the Opposition, whether he could provide an opportunity for a debate on the facilities and general atmosphere in which Members of Parliament work. I should like to ask him whether, in considering that, he would also be good enough to bear in mind the Motion which I have put upon the Order Paper relating to the hours of work of the House? Will he give an assurance that before we adjourn for the Summer Recess all these matters, whether they be the hours of work or the conditions under which Members of Parliament work, will be considered and a day allotted for a general discussion upon what I regard as these particularly important matters?

Mr. Ede

I have no recollection of giving any promise that time would be found for that. What I did promise was that I would enter into discussions with the various authorities who control the amenities of the House and see whether certain improvements could be effected. I have started on that task, but I can see no chance of time being given to a discussion of my hon. Friend's Motion.

Mr. Churchill

As the hon. Member for Bilston (Mr. Nally) appealed to me, may I say that all I can do is to leave him to the tender mercies of his own leader?