HC Deb 09 November 1954 vol 532 cc1042-3
Mr. Attlee

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he has any statement to make on business?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Harry Crookshank)

Yes, Sir. Tomorrow, after the consideration of the Civil Defence (Armed Forces) Bill [Lords], and the Pests Bill [Lords], we shall ask the House to resume the Committee stage of the National Gallery and Tate Gallery Bill [Lords], and if agreeable, take the remaining stages also.

We shall then consider the Double Taxation Relief Orders, already announced.

Mr. Wyatt

Is it not wrong to take the Committee stage of an important Bill, which has taken months in going through the other place, on the same day as Report and Third Reading, because it gives the Minister no chance to make any concessions to Amendments, since he cannot possibly consult his advisers to find out whether they would be acceptable or not?

Mr. Crookshank

I think that Ministers make up their own minds, but I said "if agreeable," and I still hope that it will be agreeable to the House to finish with this Bill.

Mr. Dugdale

Would the reason for this great haste be that the Financial Secretary has expressed the view in the House that matters which have been decided in the House of Lords, and agreed upon, need not be discussed further?

Mr. Crookshank

No, the reason for haste is that we would like to get the House to pass this Bill, and get it on the Statute Book before we prorogue.

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  1. NEW MEMBER SWORN 6 words