HC Deb 14 November 1957 vol 577 cc1143-6
Mr. Gaitskell

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he will announce the business of the House 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, 18TH NOVEMBER and TUESDAY, 19TH NOVEMBER—Committee stage of the National Insurance Bill.

WEDNESDAY, 20TH NOVEMBER—Concluding stages of the National Insurance Bill; and Committee stage of the Ways and Means Resolutions relating to Import Duties, which are already on the Order Paper.

THURSDAY, 21ST NOVEMBER—Committee and remaining stages of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, which it is hoped to obtain by about 7 o'clock.

Second Reading of the Public Works Loans Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Report stage of the Ways and Means Resolutions relating to Import Duties, when the necessary Bill will be brought in.

FRIDAY, 22ND NOVEMBER—Second Reading of the Milford Haven Conservancy Bill, if reported upon by the Examiners, and Committee and remaining stages of the Yarmouth Naval Hospital Transfer Bill.

Mr. Callaghan

The Leader of the House will be aware that there is a Motion on the Order Paper in the name of my right hon. Friend the Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) and others about the Constitution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

[That the Draft Order in Council, to signify Her Majesty's Assent to the Constitution Amendment Bill of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, a copy of which was laid before this House on 31st October, in the last Session of Parliament, be not submitted to Her Majesty.]

May I put two requests to him? The first is that, in view of the extreme importance of this Measure, it should be the occasion for a full day's debate, instead of having the usual time for a debate. Secondly, may I put it to him that it will be for the convenience of the House if, instead of having the rather narrow debate that would ensue on the Constitution Amendment Bill, we were to debate the White Paper—which would give a wider ranging debate—and then take the Motion formally at the end of the day?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir, we will take note of these requests from the hon. Gentleman, and consider them.

Commander Donaldson

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether his attention has been drawn to the marked increase in betting shops throughout Great Britain, and whether he intends to introduce legislation in relation to the betting laws?

Mr. Butler

I cannot say that that will be done next week. Indeed, no mention is made of this matter in the Gracious Speech, so it would be wrong to arouse in the hon. Member's breast an idea that we were to legislate on it.

Mr. Ede

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed that, on 30th October, the Fifth Report of the Privileges Committee—which, I assume, deals with the complaint made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Strauss) on 8th April—was laid on the Table If so, can he say when it will be printed, and available for Members?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. I am informed that this Report will be available for hon Members on Tuesday next, at 11 a.m.

Mr. Dugdale

May I ask the Leader of the House when there will be an opportunity for discussing the Motion standing in the names of 120 hon. Members of all political parties on the subject of the Nash Terraces, in Regent's Park?

[That this House would deplore the destruction of the Nash Terraces in Regents Park.]

If his answer is, as I expect, that it will be "not this week," may we have an assurance that there will be an opportunity to discuss it before any irrevocable decision is taken to destroy these very beautiful buildings?

Mr. Butler

I think I can reassure the right hon. Gentleman, and the House, about the destruction of these buildings. I believe that they are not so likely to be destroyed as public opinion imagines, but I would like to say that this is a matter for the Commissioners, who desire to issue a statement before too long—that is, as I said in a previous Answer, before Christmas. If any hon. Members would like to see me, in so far as I have a Ministerial capacity in reference to the Commissioners, I should like the opportunity to meet them and to hear what they have to say.

As regards debate, I would not like to prejudge that situation, but I feel sure that in saying that I am doing no violence to the views of the right hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends.

Mr. Gaitskell

I am sure that the House will welcome the Lord Privy Seal's statement, in his capacity as Home Secretary. May I ask him to make clear that, in this matter, it is, in the last resort, a Ministerial decision, and not something in the hands of the Commissioners?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir, it so happens that this is one of my rare functions as Lord Privy Seal, and not as Home Secretary. There is, of course, ultimate Ministerial responsibility—we passed legislation that set up the Commissioners. There is also a very important desire on the part of the Government—indeed, enshrined in the legislation—to give the Commissioners the maximum autonomy possible, but there will be no attempt by Ministers to avoid their responsibility in the matter.

Mr. W. Edwards

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when it is the intention of the Government to allow the House to debate the Wolfenden Committee's Report?

Mr. Butler

This was raised in a Question during Question Time, and it will, I think, have to be arranged through the usual channels. I did say, in my speech on the Address, that it would be wise to get public opinion and the opinion of the House on this matter.

Mr. Willey

Can the Lord Privy Seal say when the Government are likely to make available the Bill to improve conditions for disabled persons? There is considerable interest in that Bill.

Mr. Butler

I could not give a date at present, but I will make a note of the hon. Gentleman's request and send him a line on the subject.

Dr. King

In support of what has been said, will the Leader of the House hear in mind the request made by my hon. Friend the Member for Brierley Hill (Mr. Simmons) and by the hon. and gallant Member for Norwood (Sir J. Smyth) for a general debate on disability pensions and welfare service work for disabled people?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. I will make a note of that.