HC Deb 23 February 1954 vol 524 cc181-2
9. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for War how soon he expects to be in a position to bring forward legislation to amend the Army Act in the light of the recommendations already made by the Select Committee.

Mr. Head

After the final report of the Committee has been made to the House.

Mr. Swingler

May we have an assurance from the Secretary of State that he will include some Amendments to the Army Act this year so that there will be an opportunity, such as there was not last year, to discuss some of these recommendations when the Act is debated?

Mr. Head

I think that it is the unanimous opinion of the Committee that it would be unwise to introduce these measures piecemeal, and that we should await the full report.

Mr. Wigg

Is not the right hon. Gentleman taking on himself something with regard to which he cannot express an opinion? The question whether Amendments would be in order when we debate the Army Act is not for him but for the Chairman of Ways and Means.

Mr. Head

Yes, indeed. That was not the impression that I wished to give. I thought that the hon. Member for New-castle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) was referring to the recommendations of the Select Committee. As to any other Amendments, that is not a matter for me, as the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg) says.