HC Deb 08 March 1956 vol 549 cc2310-2
Mr. Gaitskell

May I ask the Lord Privy Seal whether he will announce the business for next week?

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

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

MONDAY, 12TH MARCH—The Government propose to give time for the Second Reading of the Private Member's Bill relating to the Death Penalty.

TUESDAY, 13TH MARCH—Second Reading of the Pakistan (Consequential Provision) Bill, and if agreeable to the House, the Committee and remaining stages.

Second Reading of the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Consideration of the Lords Amendments to the Dentists Bill.

Consideration of the Motion to approve the draft Police Pensions Regulations, and similar Regulations for Scotland.

WEDNESDAY, 14TH MARCH—Supply [7th Allotted Day]: Committee. It is proposed to take Supply formally. There will then be a debate on Cyprus on an Opposition Motion.

Consideration of the Milk and Eggs (Guaranteed Prices) Orders.

THURSDAY, 15TH MARCH—Supply [8th Allotted Day]: Committee. Army, Votes 1, 2, 5, 8, 10 and 11; Air, Votes 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 11; and Navy, Votes, 1, 2, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 and Navy Supplementary Estimates will be considered.

At 9.30 p.m., under the provisions of Standing Order No. 16, the Question will be put from the Chair on the Vote under discussion, and on all outstanding Estimates, Supplementary Estimates and Excess Votes required before the end of the financial year.

Report and Third Reading of the Criminal Justice Administration Bill (Lords).

FRIDAY, 16TH MARCH—Consideration of Private Members' Bills.

Mr. Gaitskell

While I have no questions to ask on the business for next week, may I ask the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that we wish to have an early debate on the employment situation, which is giving concern in a number of areas?

Mr. Butler

Perhaps we can discuss the opportunity for such a debate. It might arise, for example, on a Supply Day or on the Consolidated Fund Bill.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Is my right hon. Friend yet able to say whether the day on which we resume after the Easter Recess will also be Budget Day?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir. I will acquaint the House as soon as possible of the date of Budget Day and the date of our resumption.

Mr. Nabarro

My right hon. Friend will recall that a number of inquiries have been made during the last few weeks about providing for a debate upon the first independent Report on a nationalised industry—namely, the Herbert Committee Report. Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any prospect for an early debate upon that important topic?

Mr. Butler

There certainly will not be an opportunity before Easter, but this stands among the many subjects which we realise the House will wish to discuss.

Mr. H. Wilson

On the assumption that we shall be getting the first of next year's Budgets fairly quickly after the Recess, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the assurances which he gave during the last Autumn Budget in connection with the form in which the Money Resolution will be drafted? Will he, in particular, recall that in the whole of the last year, in all the Budgets we had last year, there was no opportunity at all to move any new Clause or substantially to amend the Finance Bill? Will he ask his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to bear that in mind in preparing for the April Budget?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. One has to consider these Resolutions rather in two compartments—one compartment apart from Purchase Tax and another compartment relating to Purchase Tax. Leaving aside the details for the moment, I should like to discuss this matter with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and I will inform him of the point of view put by the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Jay

If there are any by-elections in progress in April, will the next Budget be postponed until May or June?

Mr. Butler

All I can say is that the by-elections, whenever they take place—and that is a matter in the hands of God—will, we are convinced, be more in favour of the Government the longer the Government hold power.

Mr. Lee

When the right hon. Gentleman replied to the noble Lord the Member for Dorset, South (Viscount Hinchingbrooke) in the negative, after the noble Lord had asked whether the first day back after the Recess would be Budget Day, did he mean that it would not be Budget Day or that the decision had not yet been taken?

Mr. Butler

It has not yet been decided.

Mr. C. Pannell

When the Lord Privy Seal says that the question of by-elections is in the hands of God, does he think that it was to assist the Almighty that the returning officer in Leeds insisted on getting the election over within ten days?