HC Deb 13 December 1956 vol 562 cc625-32
Mr. Gaitskell

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he will announce the business for next week?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

Yes, Sir. The busines for next week will be as follows:

MONDAY, 17m DECEMBER—Second Reading of the Electricity Bill.

Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

TUESDAY, 18TH DECEMBER—Committee and remaining stages of the Ghana Independence Bill.

Second Reading of the Patents Bill [Lords].

WEDNESDAY, 19TH DECEMBER—Second Reading of the House of Commons Disqualification Bill, which it is hoped to obtain by about 7 o'clock.

Second Reading of the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Bill.

Consideration of the Draft Coastal Flooding (Acreage Payments) Scheme.

THURSDAY, 20TH DECEMBER—A debate will take place on the Economic Situation on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

FRIDAY, 21ST DECEMBER—It is proposed to adjourn for the Christmas Recess and meet again on Tuesday, 22nd January.

Mr. Gaitskell

Does not the Leader of the House feel that it would he very wrong for the House to rise for the Christmas Recess without having an opportunity of discussing the situation in Hungary? This is a matter upon which there is strong and pretty united feeling, in all parts of the House. Every day in the Press we read of fresh stands by the Hungarian people against the Soviet armies. I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he could not defer some of this legislation—for instance, the Second Reading of the Electricity Bill, or the House of Commons Disqualification Bill—so as to give us time for a discussion on Hungary.

Mr. Butler

I should not like to prejudge Mr. Speaker's discretion in regard to what subjects come up for discussion on Friday, 21st December, but if it were possible for time to be given for a discussion on Hungary on that occasion—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—the Government would certainly be ready to take part. But before ascertaining what Mr. Speaker's discretion would be in this matter, I should not like to give an answer to the other parts of the right hon. Gentleman's question.

Mr. Gaitskell

Even if Mr. Speaker were to select this matter as one of the subjects for debate on Friday, two hours is hardly adequate; indeed, it might give a rather false impression of the views and feelings of right hon. and hon. Members of the House if we treated it in that way.

Mr. Butler

We recently had a debate on the Adjournment upon this crucial and heart-rending subject. I do not misunderstand in any way the interest and deep feeling of the House in this matter. I thought that it would be best to arrange it in the way that I have suggested—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—but if it is not possible I will certainly consider what the right hon. Gentleman has said.

Mr. Elliot

May I reinforce the appeal that, if possible, a full Parliamentary day should be given to a debate on this subject? As has been said, it is no way a party subject. It is one which is occupying the attention of the whole world, especially Europe.

Mr. Butler

I will pay attention to my right hon. Friend's suggestion—just as I have said I will in reply to the point put by the right hon. Member the Leader of the Opposition. I hope that we can consider this question in a non-party atmosphere, because it raises human considerations which some of us think have been underestimated even in the United Nations; and which we should not like to be underestimated in our own Parliament.

Mr. Wade

While pressing the appeal for a debate upon the subject of Hungary, may I also ask whether the Government will, in any case, make a statement before the Christmas Recess on the instructions that have been and will be given to the United Kingdom representative at the United Nations?

Mr. Butler

Does the hon. Member mean upon the subject of Hungary?

Mr. Wade

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Butler

Yes.

I should not like to give an undertaking—if we could make an arrangement other than those falling under your discretion and choice, Mr. Speaker—that it would be necessary to devote a whole Parliamentary day to the subject, because that might be impossible in view of the business which the Government wish to get through; but I undertake to see that it is a proper debate, and properly conducted.

Mr. Patrick Maitland

Can my right hon. Friend tell us when we may expect a statement about the position of the salvage ships in and around the Suez Canal, about which there is very widespread public anxiety in view of suggestions by General Wheeler that they might even be used without British crews? When there is a statement, may we have a chance to debate it?

Mr. Butler

I have been in touch with my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary about the Press report of an alleged statement by General Wheeler, which we did not regard as being consonant with the statements made by Her Majesty's Government. My right hon. Friend has already been in touch with the United Nations and with the Secretary-General upon this subject. We had a definite understanding with the United Nations about the placing of our ships at the disposal of the United Nations for salvage operations, and I would say without hesitation, in reply to my hon. Friend, that there can be no question of our ships being used without their crews.

Mr. Callaghan

May I call the attention of the Leader of the House to the fact that when we break up on Friday there will be no opportunity for a debate on Cyprus for six weeks? In view of the fact that severe repressive measures, which amount to the suppression of the freedom of the Press, are being carried out in Cyprus, if he is reconsidering the business will he not consider setting aside time to discuss the situation there, because of the terror that is continually going on?

Mr. Butler

That is a matter that we had better discuss through the usual channels.

Mr. Callaghan

If there is any reconsideration of the business, will the Lord Privy Seal say now that he will be willing to consider a debate on this subject?

Mr. Butler

I do not think that I could give any such absolute assurance. I have already had a request which, in the event of the Hungarian question not being taken on Friday, would mean a very considerable adjustment of Government business, and that is as much as I can do. But I will undertake to discuss the question of Cyprus in this and other aspects through the usual channels which, under the circumstances, I think is the best thing that I can do.

Mr. Nabarro

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, some weeks ago, we were promised a comprehensive statement upon the atomic energy programme? As this is intimately associated with the Bill set down for Monday's business—and as Her Majesty's Government are evidently not yet in a position to make a statement upon atomic energy—would it not be advisable to put the consideration of the Electricity Bill forward to 22nd January, and have a debate on Hungary next Monday?

Mr. Butler

I do not think that we can adjust the business for next week in that way. It is important for us to get the Second Reading of the Electricity Bill before we rise so that we can start the Committee stage when we resume after the Recess and, as we are accustomed to getting business through, we try to arrange it in such a way that it is most likely to get through.

As for a statement upon atomic energy, I will discuss that both with my hon. Friend and with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power.

Mr. V. Yates

In connection with a debate on Hungary, may I ask the Lord Privy Seal whether he has seen the Motion on the Order Paper in the names of over a hundred of my hon. Friends and myself.

[That this House. believing that recent events have demonstrated that violence can never solve the problems of modern society, and that any nation attempting to impose its will upon any other nation by armed force can only endanger peace and freedom, welcomes the decision of Her Majesty's Government to withdraw British troops from Egypt; furthermore deplores the continued use of violence with its consequent bloodshed in Hungary; and, in addition to supporting the efforts of the United Nations to bring about a peaceful settlement in this area, urges Her Majesty's Government to ask the Prime Minister of India to use his good offices to secure a withdrawal of Russian military forces from Hungary, and to use his influence to effect a reconciliation between Russia and the Western Powers, which would make possible a new approach to a peaceful solution of world problems.]

In making arrangements for a debate, will he bear in mind the desirability of a full discussion by the whole House? I think that to give half a day to this subject would be unworthy of the situation. This House should do something to end the bloodshed.

Hon. Members

What should be done?

Mr. Butler

I have noticed the hon. Member's Motion, of which I have a copy. I have already given an undertaking that I will see what I can do; but there are other ways and means of having a full debate, while enabling us to get a certain amount of our Government business at the same time.

Mr. Peyton

Will my right hon. Friend go a little further? We all realise the difficulties which face him, but does he not accept the fact that perhaps no problem is taken more seriously at the moment by the people of this country than what is happening in Hungary? Will he also agree that ramifications from Hungary are likely to spread throughout Eastern Europe, and that an urgent discussion should take place in this House at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. I have already considered the Hungarian question and there has been a proposal that it might be considered, subject to Mr. Speaker's discretion, on Friday. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I had considered it. The change that has occurred is that, as I like to be receptive to the mood of the House—that is my duty in my position as Leader of the House—I am impressed by the observations from hon. Members on both sides and the requests for a proper debate. What I must do now is to look at the business programme which I have read out and consider whether it can be adjusted. That is the best I can do.

Mr. C. Pannell

Does the Leader of the House agree that, whatever we may feel about other things, most hon. Members are humiliated at the impotence of all of us to do anything about the tragedy of Hungary? Will he see the sense of the fitness of things by acknowledging that it would be almost contemptuous to fob off this matter by allocating it to an Adjournment debate on Friday? Does he realise that in his position as Leader of the House he is also the servant of the House, and will he bow to the overwhelming desire that before the Christmas Recess we should at least unite in condemning tyranny in another place?

Mr. Butler

I can only treat the observation of the hon. Member with the same sympathy with which I have attempted to treat the other observations. I think that the world will be interested and touched to notice how very much impressed is the House of Commons by the horror of the situation in Hungary.

Mr. H. Fraser

May I make a plea to my right hon. Friend and to the House that Thursday's debate. which has been devoted to the economic situation, should be given over to Hungary? May I ask right hon. Gentlemen opposite to consider that it would be possible to have a far clearer judgment of the economic situation by the middle of January, when the House returns from the Christmas Recess? Surely it is important that the House should say something about Hungary now, rather than the economic situation of this country.

Mr. Butler

The request for a debate on the economic situation came from Her Majesty's Opposition, and, naturally, we pay attention to such a request when making up the business for the week. We do that, rightly, by constitutional habit, but I will consider this matter in conjunction with the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Lewis

Has the Lord Privy Seal seen the Motion on the Order Paper concerning the question of United States residents in this country, which has been signed by about 120 hon. Members representing all political parties? While it may not be possible to have a debate next week, because of the difficulties confronting the Lord Privy Seal, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, on behalf of the Government, he will express an opinion on the pernicious and vindictive actions taken by a small minority of people in this country and say that the Government accept the view of the overwhelming majority of the people that these things should not go on?

Mr. Speaker

Order. I do not think that that concerns the business for next week. It concerns the merits of a Motion which is not set down for next week's business.

Mr. Lewis

On a point of order.

Hon. Members

Sit down.

Mr. Speaker

Order. What is the point of the hon. Member?

Mr. Lewis

May I ask the Lord Privy Seal, on the business for next week, whether he will find time next week for us to debate the Motion which stands on the Order Paper, so that we may have the views of Her Majesty's Government on this most important subject?

[That this House views with concern the evidence that an irresponsible minority of British citizens has been, and is, displaying an attitude of vindictiveness, hostility, and prejudice towards citizens of the United States of America resident in this country; deplores the fact that in some cases punitive measures have been taken against Americans, such as evicting them from their homes and refusing them services readily available to British citizens; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to take such steps as may be necessary to bring an end to this regrettable manifestation of racial and national discrimination.]

Mr. Butler

If we started to debate the various Motions which are on the Order Paper, we should never end the Sitting or have any of the Christmas holiday which we all need so much. I will merely say that I am sure that personal vindictiveness in these matters is something to be very much regretted.