HC Deb 31 January 1952 vol 495 cc365-7
Mr. C. R. Attlee

May I ask the Leader of the House to state the business for next week?

The Minister of Health (Mr. Harry Crookshank)

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

MONDAY, 4TH FEBRUARY—Debate on Welsh Affairs.

Consideration of the Motion relating to the Summer Time Order, 1952.

TUESDAY, 5TH FEBRUARY and WEDNESDAY, 6TH FEBRUARY—Debate on Foreign Affairs.

THURSDAY, 7TH FEBRUARY—Second Reading: National Health Service Bill.

Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

It is proposed to present the Bill tomorrow, and copies will be made available later that same day.

FRIDAY, 8TH FEBRUARY—Consideration of Private Members' Motions.

We hope that it will be agreeable to the House to take the Committee and remaining stages of the Festival Pleasure Gardens Bill at the end of business on Wednesday as there is some urgency for this Bill, and afterwards the Motion relating to the Additional Import Duties (Cotton Sacks) Order.

Mr. Aneurin Bevan

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House which Minister is likely to be in charge of the Welsh debate, so that we might look up his connection with the Principality?

Mr. Crookshank

I think the right hon. Gentleman knows as well as I do that it is within the province of the Home Secretary.

Mr. Attlee

Is it proposed that the debate on Tuesday and Wednesday should take place on a Motion for the Adjournment?

Mr. Crookshank indicated assent.

Mr. Attlee

I should like to say that there seems to be no objection to taking the Festival Pleasure Gardens Bill at the end of business on Wednesday.

Lieut.-Colonel Marcus Lipton

Can the right hon. Gentleman now announce the date of the commencement and length of the Easter Recess?

Mr. Crookshank

I am quite sure that it will be about Easter time, but I note with regret that the hon. and gallant Gentleman is already tired of this session.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an Order relating to the control of labour has now been made available and that it has been impossible to debate it during the debate which started yesterday and continues today? Will he therefore provide an opportunity fairly soon for the purpose of discussing this Order and allowing us to hear the plans of the Minister of Labour?

Mr. Crookshank

As far as I know, the debate which started yesterday goes on until 10 o'clock tonight. Therefore, if it could not have been debated yesterday I imagine that it could be debated today.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The Leader of the House is obviously not aware that the Order was not available. It was not made available until today. Half the debate has passed and the Minister of Labour has had no opportunity of making any explanation of his plan.

Mr. Crookshank

It is available today. To that extent, therefore, it could be discussed today.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

In connection with business for next Monday, will the Leader of the House arrange for the debate on Welsh affairs to take place on a Motion and not on the Adjournment so that the discussion might be as wide as possible? That is the view of Welsh Members generally.

Mr. Crookshank

Yes, Sir. That will be done. There will be a Motion on the Order Paper.

Mr. A. Fenner Brockway

Before the House rose for the Christmas Recess an indication was given that when we met there would be an opportunity to discuss the proposals for federation in Central Africa. Can the right hon. Gentleman now say when that will be?

Mr. Crookshank

No, Sir.

Mr. James Callaghan

As the Budget is only four clear weeks away, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether we shall have the Service Estimates before the Budget is presented, or afterwards?

Mr. Crookshank

I could not say today exactly how the programme will be dovetailed.

Mr. E. Shinwell

Surely the Leader of the House will agree that it is customary to present the Service Estimates before the Budget.

Mr. Crookshank

I am only discussing next week's business at the moment but, of course, it is necessary for the Service Estimates to be dealt with before the end of the financial year.

Mr. James Griffiths

The Colonial Secretary said in reply to a Question on Tuesday that the talks he was having with the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia and others from Central Africa were continuing. Presumably, they will be completed very soon. May we have an assurance from the Leader of the House that when those talks are completed we shall have the opportunity of a debate and of a full statement on those talks by the Colonial Secretary?

Mr. Crookshank

We cannot have that next week. The business time is already fully taken up.