HC Deb 04 April 1957 vol 568 cc580-1
Mr. Gaitskell

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

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

Yes, Sir. The business for next week will be as follows: MONDAY, 8TH APRIL—Committee stage of the Export Guarantees Bill.

Second Reading of the Magistrates' Courts Bill [Lords]

Consideration of Lords Amendments to the House of Commons Disqualification Bill.

Report and Third Reading of the Occupiers' Liability Bill.

Second Reading of the House of Commons Members' Fund Bill.

Consideration of the Motion to approve the Draft National Health Service (Superannuation) Regulations.

TUESDAY, 9TH APRIL—My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will open his Budget.

WEDNESDAY, 10TH APRIL AND THURSDAY, 11TH APRIL—General Debate on the Budget Resolutions and the Economic Situation, which will be continued and brought to a conclusion on Monday, 15th April.

FRIDAY, 12TH APRIL—Consideration of Private Members' Bills.

It may be convenient for me to inform the House that it is proposed to adjourn for the Easter Recess on Thursday, 18th April, and meet again on Tuesday, 30th April.

Mr. Gaitskell

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not a debate on the White Paper on Defence will take place before Easter?

Mr. Butler

We have considered this matter and we hope that it may be possible to have a debate before the Easter Recess.

Mr. Bellenger

Now that the White Paper on Defence has been published, can the right hon. Gentleman say when the House may expect to receive the Service Estimates in full?

Mr. Butler

I cannot guarantee that the main Service Estimates will be before us before Easter. They will be published after Easter and the debates on them will be after Easter. I think it is better to make that clear.

Mr. Pearl

The Leader of the House will remember that I asked last week about the atomic energy programme. Is it possible for us to have a White Paper next week? I know that it is linked with the capital investment programme, but are we likely to have it announced next week? If not, when can we expect it?

Mr. Butler

I cannot give an actual date, but I have been in touch with my noble Friend the Minister of Power. Directly I have a date I will make it available to the House.

Mr. Peart

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that there is some urgency in this and that hon. Members are very anxious to know the details? Will he impress on his noble Friend that we are anxious to have it quickly?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. I consulted my noble Friend shortly before coming to the House because I thought that this was a question which would be asked. I cannot give an absolutely categorical reply that there will be a statement next week, but I am hoping that that may be so.

Mr. Peart

Will it be a statement, or will it be included in the White Paper, because the Leader of the House will realise that he did say that it would he in a White Paper?

Mr. Butler

It will be attached to the White Paper on investment in the fuel and power industries.