HC Deb 04 December 1958 vol 596 cc1365-7
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 DECEMBER—Consideration of the Local Government General Grant Order; the Grants and Rates (Transitional Adjustments) Regulations; and Motions to approve the Lace Industry (Scientific Research Levy) Order, and the Import Duties (General) (No. 2) Order.

TUESDAY, 9TH DECEMBER—Consideration of the General Grant (Scotland) Order; the Local Government Commission Regulations, and the International Sugar Council (Immunities and Privileges) Order.

WEDNESDAY, 10TH DECEMBER—Second Reading of the Wages Councils (Amendment) Bill [Lords], and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution; and Committee and remaining stages of the Navy, Army and Air Force Reserves Bill.

THURSDAY, 11TH DECEMBER—Second Reading of the Transport (Borrowing Powers) Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

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

Mr. Gaitskell

May I ask the Leader of the House whether the Government would find time for a debate on Cyprus before the Christmas Recess if, by then, the debate in the United Nations has been concluded?

Mr. Butler

I am glad the right hon. Member added the condition at the end of his question. I think that there might he other conditions which will have to be considered. Perhaps we can discuss this matter through the usual channels.

Mr. Rankin

Could the Leader of the House tell me whether he thinks that the Prime Minister will be able to answer my Question No. 46 on Tuesday of next week?

Major Legge-Bourke

Will my right hon. Friend give further consideration to finding time for a debate on the subject of a Motion standing in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Farey-Jones) and more than 100 hon. Members, with particular reference to the provision of capital for the development of scientific inventions in aeronautics, which is becoming increasingly urgent, especially in view of the present state of the aircraft industry?

[That this House is of opinion that, in order to safeguard the future of the British aircraft industry and civil aviation generally throughout the Commonwealth Her Majesty's Government should at the earliest opportunity make available to the aircraft industry the capital necessary to preserve within the Commonwealth and thereby to prevent their sale to foreign powers of certain outstanding new inventions in the field of aeronautics, which are of most vital and revolutionary importance in the development of aviation throughout the world and can, if maintained in the United Kingdom, safeguard a high and stable level of employment in the British aircraft industry for many years ahead.]

Mr. Butler

I am aware of the importance of that matter, but I cannot offer a date before Christmas.

Mr. Brockway

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to say yet when the House will be adjourning for the Christmas Recess, and when we shall be returning?

Mr. Butler

I hope that if all necessary business is disposed of in time the House might adjourn for Christmas on Thursday, 18th December. The proposed date of reassembly in the New Year will be announced later. I say "I hope" because it depends on the completion of business, and I hope that hon. Members will note that.

Mr. Maddan

May I ask whether we can have a debate on our relations with the European Common Market before Christmas, since the negotiations we are carrying on for a Common Market may go on for a long time and the basis of the question was debated by this House more than two years ago and is now being abandoned, or very seriously modified?

Mr. Butler

I realise my hon. Friend's interest in this matter, which is very intricate. My right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General is considering the preparation of a White Paper, so the exact timing of a debate would depend on when that can be published and also on developments, but these are to be discussed in Paris on Tuesday next, 9th December.

All I can do at present is to note the request which has been made. I do not think that we could have a debate just now and I think that it would be rather difficult to arrange one before Christmas. It depends on the activities to which I have drawn attention in my answer.

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