BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (Hansard, 18 December 1952)

§ Mr. Attlee
May I ask the Leader of the House whether he will state the business for the week after we return from the Christmas Recess?

§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Harry Crookshank)
Yes, Sir. The business will be as follows:
TUESDAY, 20TH JANUARY—Second Reading:
White Fish and Herring Industries Bill.
Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.
WEDNESDAY, 21ST JANUARY—Motions to approve:
Purchase Tax (No. 8) Order, which brings furniture within the scope of the D Scheme established by Section 9 of the Finance Act, 1952.
Draft Apples and Pears Marketing Scheme.
THURSDAY, 22ND JANUARY—Debate on Welsh Affairs.
FRIDAY, 23RD JANUARY—Private Members' Motions.
I should add that I have considered the representations which have been made in regard to the time allocated for the Report stage of the Transport Bill and I have consulted my right hon. Friend the Minister in the matter. I should like to inform the House that the Government are prepared to find an extra day for the Report stage, making three in all. This will require an amendment of the Time-table Motion, which, I assume, will be treated as an agreed matter.

§ Mr. Attlee
First, on Wednesday's business, on the Purchase Tax Order we propose, if you will allow it, Sir, that there shall be one debate covering those Motions to which we are putting down Prayers. Second, if there should be something positive eventuating during the Recess from the recent Commonwealth Conference we might want an early debate on that Conference. Third, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is proposed that legislation should be introduced with regard to the Royal title?

§ Mr. Crookshank
On the first point, we are quite agreeable, subject to your 1629 decision, Mr. Speaker. On the second point, I take note of what the right hon. Gentleman says; that can be discussed through the usual channels should the emergency arise which he has in mind. Perhaps my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister might reply to the third point about the Royal titles.

§ The Prime Minister
This matter is not one which should be dealt with in haste. A State Paper will be laid before both Houses of Parliament shortly after we reassemble in the New Year. Meanwhile, we must all be encouraged by the fact that so majestic a unity of agreement covers titles acclaimed over so large a portion of the world.

§ Sir W. Smithers
May I ask the Leader of the House whether, in the New Year, he can find time to discuss the Motion in my name about Communist infiltration into the B.B.C.? I am sure he will agree that atheistic Communism is at the root of all our troubles.

§ Mr. Crookshank
It is not very likely that I shall be able to find time for that, but perhaps my hon. Friend will be lucky in the Ballot.

§ Mr. H. Morrison
May I express to the right hon. Gentleman our appreciation that he has considered the request which I made on behalf of this side of the House for further time on the Report stage of the Transport Bill? It will not prevent me or others making comments on the Committee stage later in the day, but we are grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for having considered our request. We asked for two extra days, and we have got one, which seems to be in accord with Parliamentary history. In all the circumstances, as far as I am concerned I think that we ought to take the 1630 amendment of the Allocation of Time Order as substantially formal business and not debate it.

§ Mr. Crookshank
I am very much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman. I look forward to the comments which he promises to give in this matter and the spirit in which he extends them.

§ Mr. G. Thomas
Does the Leader of the House propose that the Welsh debate is to be restricted through being on a Motion for the Adjournment, or do the Government propose to facilitate a wide debate by tabling a Motion of their own?

§ Mr. Crookshank
It is, of course, my desire to help the Welsh Members to debate this matter in whatever way is most suitable, and I understand that the most happy solution would be for a Government Motion taking note of the policy which was described in the recent White Paper.

§ Miss Burton
Can the Leader of the House hold out any hope of time to discuss the Motion, which has now been signed by more than 170 Members on both sides of the House, dealing with the question of hotel accommodation and prices at Coronation time?

§ Mr. Crookshank
No, Sir; I am afraid not. Perhaps I might add that already 37 Motions have since appeared on the Order Paper, which would take over nine weeks of Parliamentary time if we debated them all.