HC Deb 05 November 1953 vol 520 cc303-4
Mr. H. Morrison

May I ask the Leader of the House to state the business it is proposed to take next week?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Harry Crookshank)

The business for next week will be as follows:

The debate on the Address in reply to the Gracious Speech will be continued on MONDAY, 9TH NOVEMBER and brought to a conclusion on TUESDAY, 10TH NOVEMBER.

It would be convenient, Mr. Speaker, if you would be good enough to indicate today which Amendment or Amendments to the Address you propose to call and the days upon which they will be taken.

WEDNESDAY, 11TH NOVEMBER.—Second Readings:

Regency Bill.

Air Corporations Bill.

Expiring Laws Continuance Bill.

Committee stages of the necessary Money Resolutions.

Motions to approve:

Purchase Tax (No. 2) Order (Floor Coverings).

Double Taxation Order (Greece).

THURSDAY, 12TH NOVEMBER.—Committee and remaining stages:

Regency Bill.

Second Reading:

Post Office and Telegraph (Money) Bill.

Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

FRIDAY, 13TH NOVEMBER.—Second Reading:

Public Works Loans Bill.

Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Mr. Speaker

In answer to the question put to me, I propose on Monday to call an Amendment dealing with agriculture, which, I understand, has been handed in in the name of the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition and other right hon. and hon. Members. On Tuesday, I propose to call the Amendment to the Address which deals with the cost of food, and which is on the Order Paper.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

In view of the scanty time which the Government seem to be allocating to the Second Reading of the Regency Bill, may we have an assurance that there will be no last-minute stampede to rush the Bill through its remaining stages without an adequate opportunity being given to those hon. Members who wish to put down Amendments, if necessary, in Committee or on Report?

Mr. Crookshank

This matter has been discussed through the usual channels. I thought that the timetable was completely agreed. The House will see that on both days the business is put down as the first Order. There should be ample time.

Mrs. White

Will the Leader of the House consider, in the matter of Questions, whether, as we are informed that the work of the Ministry of Food is about to disappear almost to vanishing point, it is really necessary that on two days the Minister of Food should answer Questions? Could not one day be transferred to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, because often many Questions addressed to him are not reached?

Mr. Crookshank

I am sure the hon. Lady appreciates that these cycles are worked out very carefully after much discussion. I could not on the spur of the moment answer any such Question as that, but if she wishes representations to be made I will take note of it.

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