HC Deb 23 October 1952 vol 505 cc1272-3
Mr. Attlee

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

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Harry Crookshank)

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

MONDAY, 27TH OCTOBER—Report and Third Reading:

Visiting Forces Bill [Lords].

Cinematograph Bill [Lords].

Committee and remaining stages:

Agriculture (Poisonous Substances) Bill [Lords].

Prisons (Scotland) Bill [Lords].

TUESDAY, 28TH OCTOBER—Debate on Fuel and Power with particular reference to the Ridley Report.

Lords Amendments:

Intestates' Estates Bill, for which the Government propose to give facilities.

Motion to approve Purchase Tax (No. 2) Order.

WEDNESDAY, 29TH OCTOBER—Debate on Civil Aviation and the Reports from B.O.A.C. and B.E.A.

THURSDAY, 30TH OCTOBER—If all the necessary business is completed in the early part of the week, it is proposed to meet at 11 a.m. Questions will be taken until 12 noon, and afterwards a debate will take place on the Danckwerts award on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

It is expected that Prorogation will take place at about 2.30 p.m.

During the week it may be necessary to take other business and consider any Amendments to Bills which may be received from another place.

In regard to the business for today, after the debate on the Iron and Steel White Paper we propose to ask the House to consider the Motions to approve the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations and the Draft Civil Defence (Appropriation of Lands and Buildings) Regulations.

These Orders were down for consideration last night, but owing to the length of the Sitting were postponed until today.

Mr. L. M. Lever

Can the Leader of the House tell us on what date we are likely to have submitted to us legislation to amend the Education Act, 1944, in regard to the position of the non-provided schools? Now that the Government have been in office for nearly a year, is there any likelihood of amending legislation being introduced in the very near future, in view of the dire needs of the non-provided schools?

Mr. Crookshank

There is certainly no likelihood of its being done before the Prorogation at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday.

Mr. Lever

I do not think that this is a matter for amusement. We are asking the Leader of the House to come face to face with a problem which is giving many of us great anxiety. We want to know whether legislation is likely to be introduced in the near future, and that is not a matter for laughter.

Mr. Crookshank

Nobody has laughed except the hon. Gentleman. Surely he has been in the House long enough to realise that the Queen's Speech is the occasion on which the Government's programme for the Session is disclosed to Parliament. The Queen's Speech will take place in a very few days' time.

Mr. Lever

Is there any likelihood of the legislation being mentioned in the Queen's Speech?

Mr. Speaker

That question is out of order.

Mr. Perkins

On a point of order. What has happened to the British Museum Bill?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order.