HC Deb 06 March 1952 vol 497 cc657-9
Mr. C. R. Attlee

May I ask the Leader of the House if he will 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, 10TH MARCH—Supply (5th allotted Day):

It is proposed to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on the Army Estimates, 1952–53, and to consider Votes A, 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, and Army Supplementary Estimate, 1951–52.

TUESDAY, 11TH MARCH—My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will open his Budget.

WEDNESDAY, 12TH MARCH, and THURSDAY, 13TH MARCH—General debate on the Budget Resolutions.

Perhaps it will be convenient to the House if I say that this will be continued and brought to a conclusion on Monday, 17th March.

FRIDAY, 14TH MARCH—Consideration of Private Members' Bills.

Mr. Ernest Davies

In view of the sudden and sweeping rise in London fares this week, and the proposal to raise railway fares further on 1st May, will the Leader of the House provide time for a debate on the question of railway fares and charges?

Mr. Crookshank

No, Sir. We shall be busy enough on the Budget.

Mr. Davies

I was not suggesting next week, but before 1st May, when the further rise takes place.

Mr. W. Nally

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that well over 12 months ago a very distinguished Royal Commission, under excellent chairmanship, produced a Report on Betting and Gambling? The facts and figures in that Report are rapidly becoming outdated. Will the right hon. Gentleman consider providing an opportunity for discussion of the Report some time in the next month at any rate.

Mr. Crookshank

I do not think that this Government would find it possible to give opportunities which the previous Government did not give. In any case, the subject might be discussed on Private Members' days.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

With regard to the Army Estimates, will the Leader of the House bear in mind that a large number of military people wish to take part in the debate and that a large number of non-military people wish to co-operate with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reduce expenditure and eliminate waste? Will he give further time for the Army Estimates?

Mr. Crookshank

It is the normal practice to suspend the Rule on the day on which the Estimates are introduced.

Miss Irene Ward

With regard to the Supply days, can my right hon. Friend say whether, as a result of yesterday's debate, there are now three parties who are entitled to nominate subjects for discussion instead of two as heretofore?

Mr. F. Beswick

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer the question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, East (Mr. Ernest Davies)? If he cannot find time next week for a discussion on the increase in rail fares, will he find time for it before the further increases on 1st May?

Mr. Crookshank

I should have thought that that was the sort of matter which Private Members behind the Front Opposition Bench would first of all take up with their own usual channels.

Mr. Ernest Davies

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the previous Government were in office, the last debate on fares took place in Government time?

Mr. Hector Hughes

In view of the London conference next month on Central African territories, will the Leader of the House find time for discussion of the Bechuanaland Report about adjacent territories?

Mr. Crookshank

Perhaps I may be allowed to remind hon. Gentlemen opposite that there are certain days at the disposal of their own right hon. Friends. There are still some this month. No doubt if the hon. and learned Gentleman makes representations in the proper quarters, those quarters will consider them.

Mr. Eric Fletcher

Can the Leader of the House say when the White Paper on the Lisbon Conference will be available?

Mr. S. S. Awbery

In view of the interest in Malaya and the re-appointments, and the resignation of high officials there, can we have some time for discussion of the Federation, especially in view of the recent visit of the Colonial Secretary to that area?

Mr. Crookshank

That seems eminently suitable for one of the Supply days to which I referred.

Mr. Norman Smith

Will the Leader of the House say when he proposes to take the Second Reading of the Currency and Bank Notes Bill?

Mr. Crookshank

Not next week.