HC Deb 09 April 1959 vol 603 cc377-9
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, 13TH APRIL —Conclusion of the general debate on the Budget Resolutions and the Economic situation.

TUESDAY, 14TH APRIL —Report and Third Reading of the Factories Bill.

WEDNESDAY, 15TH APRIL —Report stage of the Budget Resolutions.

Second Reading of the Income Tax (Repayment of Post-War Credits) Bill arid Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

THURSDAY, 16TH APRIL —Committee and remaining stages of the Rating and Valuation Bill.

Consideration of Lords Amendments to the Building (Scotland) Bill.

Second Reading of the Highway Bill [Lords] and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Consideration of the Motions to approve the Import Duties (Cut Flowers) Order; the Cinematograph Films (Distribution of Levy) Regulations; and the National Insurance (Mariners) Amendment Regulations.

FRIDAY, 17TH APRIL —Consideration of private Members' Motions.

Mr. Grant-Ferris

Arising out of the question I put to him before the Recess, may I ask my right hon. Friend, whether he will now find a short time for the purpose of debating the Report of the Bowes Committee?

Mr. Butler

I do not see any immediate chance of doing that, although I realize the attraction that this has for my hon. Friend and the interest it has aroused in the House. All I can say is that I will note his request.

Mr. C. Pannell

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the General Election will be delayed long enough for the House to consider the recent report of The Select Committee on Procedure?

Mr. Butler

we had better see what happens I cannot give any answer on the matter at all. It is not a business question and has nothing to do with business

Mr. Arbuthnot

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether he can give time for the House to discuss the special Report of the Standing Orders Committee in which it is made clear that the Committee consider the letter from the British Transport Commission to farmers and landowners with rights or land bordering the Pocklington Canal as of so serious a nature as to warrant it being brought to the special attention of the House?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. For greater accuracy I have here a copy of the Report to which my hon. Friend has referred. I cannot give any undertaking about time to consider it, but I will bear in mind the representations which my hon. Friend has made.

Mr. Stonehouse

May I ask the Leader of the House whether his attention has been drawn to a Motion on the Order Paper, signed by over 100 right hon. and hon. Members on this side of the House, drawing attention to the discriminatory legislation in Southern Rhodesia, and whether he will give time for this Motion to be discussed in view of the responsibility that we have for this legislation and the urgent need for us to discuss it?

[That this House regrets the discriminatory character of certain measures introduced into the Legislature of Southern Rhodesia by the Southern RhodesianGovernment, namely, the Unlawful Organisations Bill and the Bill, presented on 17th March, 1959, to amend the Native Affairs Act; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to exercise the powers vested in him in relation to such measures by Sections 28 and 30 of the Southern Rhodesian Constitution Letters Patent, 1923, to prevent such measures coming into effect until all provisions of such measures which unfairly discriminate against African citizens of Southern Rhodesia are removed.]

Mr. Butler

No, Sir. I cannot give any indication of a particular time, although I am aware of the Motion.

Mr. J. Hynd

In view of the time which has elapsed since we had a report and a discussion on British relations with Common Market countries, can the Leader of the House say whether we shall have another report and an opportunity to debate the situation?

Mr. Butler

It is clearly a matter of the highest importance to the United Kingdom. I cannot give a date for any further statement of policy, or an opportunity for a debate to take place, but I do not underestimate the importance which hon. Members attach to this matter.