HC Deb 12 July 1956 vol 556 cc593-5
Mr. Gaitskell

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he will announce the business for next week?

The Prime Minister

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

MONDAY, 16TH JULY—Supply [21st Allotted Day]: Committee.

Debate on the Administration of the Factories Acts and Safety Arrangements in Factories, until 7 p.m.

Afterwards, a debate will take place on the Report on the Hazards to Man of Nuclear and Allied Radiations.

Report and Third Reading of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bill [Lords].

TUESDAY, 17TH JULY—Supply [22nd Allotted Day]: Committee.

Debate on Health in Scotland.

Report stage of the Navy, Army and Air Expenditure, 1954–55.

Consideration of the Motion relating to the Greenwich Hospital and Travers' Foundation Accounts.

WEDNESDAY, 18TH JULY—Consideration of Lords Amendments to the Slum Clearance (Compensation) Bill; and to the Transport (Disposal of Road Haulage Property) Bill.

Consideration of the Motions to approve the Draft Road Haulage Disposal Board (Abolition) Order; and the several Motions relating to the white fish and herring industries.

THURSDAY, 19TH JULY—Supply [23rd Allotted Day]: Committee.

The Vote for the Ministry of Education will be considered.

Consideration of the Motion to approve the Import Duties (Exemptions) Order relating to pork, bacon and ham.

FRIDAY, 20TH JULY—Second Reading of the Crown Estate Bill, and of the Hill Farming Bill.

Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolutions.

Mr. Russell

May I ask my right hon. Friend when the Overseas Resources Development Bill is to be considered by the House? Is he aware that any delay in passing the Bill will hold up a number of important schemes of Commonwealth business which we all want to see put through?

The Prime Minister

I understand that. We will take the Bill as soon as we can, but I cannot give my hon. Friend a date.

Mr. Beswick

May I ask whether it is the intention of the Government to limit the debate on the second part of Monday's business? Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the debate will be limited to technical matters concerned with radiation, or will it be in order to discuss the reluctance of the Government to take the lead in the abolition of all further nuclear tests?

The Prime Minister

It will be on a Motion to take note of the Report. It is not for me to say how wide the debate may range, but I should have thought that it would cover the criticism of the hon. Gentleman.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the Motion to set up the Select Committee on Procedure will be debated before the Summer Recess?

The Prime Minister

That is our hope.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Have the Government decided to find time for the two Motions on the Order Paper relating to the retrospective pay of the police?

[That, in the opinion of this House, the Police Act, 1919, should be amended so that the award of the Police Arbitration Tribunal of increased pay to all ranks, with effect from 8th September last, may be implemented for lower as well as higher ranks.]

[That, in the opinion of this House, the Federated ranks of the Police Service should no longer be excluded from the benefits of retrospective pay agreements where appropriate, and, in particular, urges the Government to take the necessary action by legislation or otherwise, that will permit the recent Award of the Independent Police Arbitration Tribunal to be implemented.]

The Prime Minister

The Home Secretary is to make a statement about that very shortly.

Mr. Rippon

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he has seen the Motion in my name on the Order Paper on the subject of establishing a common market in Western Europe? Is he aware that a large number of hon. Members on this side of the House, and on the Liberal benches, have already subscribed to it? Would it be possible to have a debate on this subject before the Recess?

[That this House expresses agreement in principle on the establishment by stages of a common market in Western Europe and urges Her Majesty's Government to accept the invitation to participate in the negotiations currently taking place on the subject between the representatives of Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, with a view to ensuring that if, or when, any treaty is signed the way will be open for British participation in the common market on an acceptable basis and in accordance with the interests of the Commonwealth and Empire.]

The Prime Minister

I could not at present give the undertaking for which my hon. Friend is asking.

Mr. H. Morrison

The Prime Minister said that the Home Secretary will make a statement about retrospective pay for the police. In view of the considerable anxiety about this matter, can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how soon that statement will be made?

The Prime Minister

Almost at once. When I have made the statement on Cyprus, which I have already promised to make to the House.