§ Mr. GaitskellMay I ask the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any statement to make on business?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)Yes, Sir. Following discussions through the usual channels, arrangements have been made for the debate on the Geneva tariff negotiations tomorrow to take place on a Government Motion to approve the White Paper. This is thought to be a more convenient way of handling the debate.
We shall afterwards take the three Orders which I announced in the business statement last Thursday. The general debate will cover these Orders and they will, it is hoped, be obtained afterwards without very much discussion.
Mr. H. WilsonWill the terms of the Motion be drawn in such a way that it will be possible for hon. Members to debate the recent discussions on tariffs and preferences with the Australian Government, about which there is considerable interest and, I think, a little 753 concern in all parts of the House? Will the right hon. Gentleman take note that, so far, the House has not had an opportunity of debating the transactions of the Government at the conference on the revision of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, with all the changes made there, and that at some time or another the House should certainly have an opportunity of debating that Agreement?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir. The Motion was tabled last night and should be on the Order Paper. It relates to the three Orders to which I made reference last week, namely, the Import Duties (Geneva Agreement) Order, the Silk Duties (No. 2) Order, and the Additional Import Duties (No. 3) Order relating to Fruit Stocks and Kentia Palms. I do not see, at first sight, that it would cover the Agreement with the Australian Government.