§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)With the permission of the House, I should like to make a statement.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister would desire to make a statement at four o'clock today. At the moment certain interchanges are taking place on an international level and it would be more convenient if the statement were made at four o'clock than now. Therefore, my right hon. Friend, with the agreement of the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, will make a statement at that hour. I think it was the wish of the House that he should make a statement and I think it better that he should make it at that hour.
§ Mr. GaitskellCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement will deal simply with the position in the Middle East, or also cover Hungary and possibly other parts of Europe?
§ Mr. ButlerThe statement on Hungary-will be made by the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs immediately, either next or after the statement which is to be made on oil supplies. It is a matter for Mr. Speaker, but I think that the statement on oil will be made first. A statement on the Middle East and the general foreign situation will be made by the Prime Minister himself, at four o'clock.