BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (Hansard, 4 June 1959)

§ 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 JUNE—Report stage of the National Insurance Bill.
TUESDAY, 9TH JUNE—Third Reading of the National Insurance Bill.
Consideration of the Motion to approve the International Wheat Council (Immunities and Privileges) Order.
WEDNESDAY, 10TH JUNE—Committee stage of the Finance Bill.
THURSDAY, 11TH JUNE—Committee stage of the Finance Bill.
FRIDAY, 12TH JUNE—Consideration of Private Members' Bills.
This is the last of the 20 Fridays set apart for private Members' business this Session.
373 It may be convenient to say that I have noted the Motion on the Order Paper this morning in the names of the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition and other hon. Members opposite relating to Hola Detention Camp.
[That this House deplores the circumstances in which 11 men in Hola Detention Camp met their deaths as a result of the use of unlawful violence and regrets the failure of Her Majesty's Government to take immediate steps to set up a public inquiry to ascertain where the responsibility should be placed.]
My right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary is not returning from West Africa until the week-end. We also propose to publish a White Paper containing the findings of the inquiring magistrate into the happenings at Hola Detention Camp, but I am informed that it cannot be made available before Wednesday next at the earliest. In those circumstances, I do not think that we can consider any proposal to debate this Motion next week, but I will discuss through the usual channels arrangements for an early debate the week after next.

§ Mr. Gaitskell
Would the right hon. Gentleman say why it has taken so long to publish a White Paper on the coroner's findings? I understand that it is not a long report. Is he aware that we shall certainly regard it as essential that the debate on the Hola Detention Camp shall take place at the earliest possible date?

§ Mr. Butler
It is the natural desire of the Government to take up this question as soon as possible. We should have liked to take it up sooner, but, for the reasons that I have given, this arrangement will be more suitable. As there is only one copy of the White Paper available in the Library, we thought that that was not sufficient and that the debate should not be held until the White Paper was available for all hon. Members to read.

§ Mr. Callaghan
The White Paper has been in the Library since 8th May. Has it been impossible to produce a White Paper of 10,000 words in a month? If the Government choose to lie under a Motion of censure for another week, that is a matter for them, but is this not typical of the indifference and incompetence with which they have handled the whole matter?

§ Mr. Butler
No, Sir. It is a sign of the consideration with which we wish to treat the House, namely, to give an indication that a debate is likely, and that we thought it wise to make available sufficient copies for all Members. The White Paper itself, in an isolated position in the Library, was not so convenient for hon. Members as if we printed sufficient copies, and the printing of these copies would coincide with the return of my right hon. Friend from an official and arduous tour. It is important to have his counsel before the debate takes place.

§ Mr. Callaghan
if the Opposition had not put forward a Motion of censure we would not have seen the coroner's findings at all, except in the Library.

§ Mr. Butler
The hon. Member seems anxious to have the debate today and to make the atmosphere as disagreeable as possible. The Government desire to make all facilities available for the debate and to have it at a reasonable time, and we shall be ready to face the challenge which the hon. Member seems so keen to put in our way.

§ Dame Irene Ward
Can my right hon. Friend say when the Minister of Health intends to bring forward the new regulation to clear up the position of "moral responsibility" which, I understand, is due—or has there been any alteration having regard to the fact that Mr. A. H. Barber has now received an appointment?

§ Mr. Butler
I have to be somewhat omniscient in my position, but I was not fully aware of the details of this matter. Perhaps I may discuss it with my hon. Friend.

§ Mr. Hale
Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that he promised the House an early debate on the Report of the Select Committee on Procedure which was deferred for the publication of the evidence, which has long since been done? We understood that there was to be a debate in Government time. Can the right hon. Gentleman also say whether the long-awaited statement about denominational schools is likely to involve legislation in this Session and, if so, how long that statement is to be deferred? Is the Committee stage of the Cotton Industry Bill to be taken on the Floor of the House, or in Standing Committee?

§ Mr. Butler
I am not in a position to make a statement about denominational schools. As it would involve an amendment of the Act of 1944, it would clearly need legislation, because the Act lays down certain scales and any amendment would require legislation.
I could not give an answer to the last point of the hon. Gentleman's question. Perhaps he would remind me of his first point.

§ Mr. Hale
I asked about the Select Committee on Procedure.

§ Mr. Butler
I cannot add anything to the reply given by the Prime Minister this afternoon, namely, that we have in mind a day. We cannot take action without a debate, nor should we. At present, we are somewhat full up with business and it would be rather difficult to find an early day, but I realise the importance of trying to find a day for discussion, as many hon. Members are interested.