HC Deb 10 June 1955 vol 542 cc140-1
Mr. Attlee

May I ask the Lord Privy Seal whether he has a statement to make on business?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Harry Crookshank)

Yes, Sir. On Friday of next week it is proposed to take the Second Reading of the Rating and Valuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and the Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, it would be convenient for you to indicate to the House the particular subjects that you would suggest for debate on the Motion for the Address.

Mr. Speaker

I have had certain representations from both sides of the House. I understand that it is desired to have a debate on social services on Tuesday. It has also been represented to me that there is a general desire to discuss foreign affairs on Wednesday. If that meets with the wishes of the House, I would certainly fall in with it, but with this caveat that I should like to make, namely, that I have not had an opportunity of studying what Amendments may be put on the Order Paper to the Motion for the Address, and there are very few on it at the moment. However, subject to an Amendment appearing which I thought it my duty to select, I would certainly agree that Wednesday might be devoted to foreign affairs.

I understand that on Thursday there will be an Amendment to the Motion for the Address put down by the Opposition. I have not yet seen the Amendment, but subject to that I should, in accordance with practice, choose that Amendment for discussion on Thursday.

Mr. Attlee

Would it be possible to extend the debate on foreign affairs to include overseas affairs, so that colonial matters may also be raised in the debate?

Mr. Speaker

The debate on foreign affairs, if it does take place, will, of course, be a debate on the Motion for the Address, in which any subject of that character can be included, if that is the desire of the House.

Mr. Crookshank

I am sure that it would be, but perhaps one ought to ask for a safeguarding of the general position. If there is no Amendment, I understand that anybody can make a speech on any subject, but, subject to maintaining that right for all Members of the House, wherever they sit, it is much more convenient if these general, vast subjects are canalised. We are much obliged for your guidance, Sir.

Mr. H. Hynd

The Rating and Valuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is to be debated a week from today, is a highly technical subject. Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Bill will be available?

Mr. Crookshank

If my right hon. Friend is allowed to present it in a minute or two, it will be circulated tomorrow and made available during the week-end. I do not think that the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) will find it any different from the Bill which received a Second Reading in the last Parliament.

Mr. Hynd

I am very disappointed to hear that.