HC Deb 17 December 1958 vol 597 cc1132-4

Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House, at its rising Tomorrow, do adjourn till Tuesday, 20th January.—[Mr. R. A. Butler.]

3.44 p.m.

Mr. Marcus Lipton (Brixton)

There is one matter to which I want to make a very brief reference before the House is asked to agree to this Motion. It is an unfortunate but undeniable consequence of the Suez incident that we have in this country 425 British refugees, at present wholly or partially maintained out of public funds, who have not yet been resettled. I should like—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must direct his argument against the Motion that we adjourn until 20th January.

Mr. Lipton

I am directing my argument against the Motion, Sir, for the purpose of asking the Government whether they will take early action to ensure that these unfortunate victims of the Government's Suez policy do not spend a fourth Christmas in the present miserable circumstances in which they now exist.

Mr. Speaker

Order. That really is not relevant to the Question before the House. It is another question altogether. The hon. Gentleman must take another opportunity for raising it.

Mr. Lipton

I am suggesting that the House should not adjourn until it hears from the Government what they propose to do for these unfortunate victims of their Suez policy, 425 refugees in this country awaiting resettlement, who are now about to spend their third Christmas in most melancholy circumstances.

3.45 p.m.

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

I did not receive any notice of this matter, but it is, of course, one of great importance, especially to those concerned. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Government have set up an organisation to deal with the immediate relief of those in need. The question of the longer-term compensation has depended partly on certain negotiations taking place with the Egyptian Government and partly on certain views of Her Majesty's Government, which have been expressed in another place and elsewhere.

I will undertake to bring to the attention of my right hon. Friends principally concerned the circumstances of these people who are very much in our minds. I hope that if the hon. Member realises the attention which we do wish to give them he will understand that it is reasonable for the House to follow its time-honoured practice of adjourning for a short time at Christmas.

3.46 p.m.

Dame Irene Ward (Tynemouth)

I just want to ask one question if I may, before we proceed. I suppose that I, also, must oppose the Motion.

I should like to know from my right hon. Friend how, if we adjourn tomorrow, I shall know what really has happened about our troops and their wet tents in Cyprus. It is very important that we should know whether the allegations that are made are correct. I particularly wish to know, because constituents of mine who have sons in Cyprus have asked about the conditions of the men serving there in such very grave and difficult circumstances. They wish to know whether the troops have watertight tents and good accommodation for their period of service during the present wet and cold weather. I should be most grateful if my right hon. Friend will give an assurance that he will make inquiries. I should then be delighted to support the Motion.

Mr. R. J. Mellish (Bermondsey)

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I remind him that I have given notice that I shall endeavour to put down a Private Notice Question for reply first thing tomorrow morning, to be answered by the Secretary of State for War?

Mr. R. A. Butler

If that is the position, I think that I should not intervene between the hon. Gentleman the Member for Bermondsey (Mr. Mellish) and his desire for attention to be given to his Question.

Mr. Mellish

I do not mind about that.

Mr. Butler

I should like to tell the hon. Gentleman that we have received notice from him, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War has already been giving attention to the complaint raised both by him and by my hon. Friend the Member for Tyne-mouth (Dame Irene Ward). If there is a suitable opportunity we shall be only too glad to give a reply.

Question put and agreed to.