HC Deb 05 March 1959 vol 601 cc626-8
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, 9TH MARCH—Supply [6th Allotted Day]: Navy Estimates, 1959–60, will be considered in Committee on Vote A.

TUESDAY, 10TH MARCH—Supply [7th Allotted Day]: Committee. Army, Votes 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and Army Supplementary Estimates, until about 6.30 P.m.;

We shall then consider Navy, Votes 1, 2, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15 and Navy Supplementary Estimate; and Air, Votes 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 11 and Air Supplementary Estimates.

WEDNESDAY, 11TH MARCH—Conclusion of the Re-committal and Report stages and Third Reading of the House Purchase and Housing Bill.

Second Reading of the following consolidation Measures, which have come from another place: County Courts Bill and Overseas Resources Bill.

THURSDAY, 12TH MARCH—Supply [8th Allotted Day]: Committee.

Consideration of the following Civil Supplementary Estimates: Class V, Votes 5 and 11, National Health Service (England and Wales and Scotland); and, if there is time, Class VIII, Votes 1, 2, 3 and 11, relating to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture for Scotland.

At 9.30 p.m. the Question will be put from the Chair under Standing Order No. 16 on the Vote under discussion, and on all outstanding Votes (including Excess Votes) required before the end of the financial year.

Consideration of the Small Farmer's Schemes (England and Wales and Northern Ireland and Scotland).

FRIDAY, 13TH MARCH—Consideration of Private Members' Bills.

It may be convenient for me to inform the House that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will open his Budget on Tuesday, 7th April, and that we hope it will be possible to adjourn for the Easter Recess on Thursday, 26th March, until Tuesday, 7th April.

Mr. Gaitskell

May I ask when the Government propose to find time for a debate on the Financial Agreement with Egypt, in view of the fact that this constitutes the triumphant conclusion of the Suez adventure?

Mr. Butler

While not taking up the right hon. Gentleman's addition, which does not seem to me to be anything to do with business, and if it were would be inaccurate at that, may I say that I am aware of the Opposition's request for a discussion upon this satisfactory Agreement. We propose to agree, through the usual channels, on a suitable day for debate.

Mr. Gaitskell

Will it be arranged to take place in Government time?

Mr. Butler

That is a matter for discussion. What is important is that we have agreed that there will be a debate.

Dame Irene Ward

On Thursday's business, will my right hon. Friend make it possible to discuss whether we can give power to the Minister of Health to deal with moral responsibility, so that the case of Mr. Barber, who has not yet been reinstated in spite of a High Court decision, and on which a great many people feel very strongly, should be properly, fairly and justly dealt with?

Mr. Butler

I realise the importance of my hon. Friend's request. We are accepting the request of the Opposition for debate on certain Votes, namely, Votes 5 and 11, and it will be for the Chair to rule whether it would be in order to discuss this case.

Mr. Watkins

Can the Leader of the House tell us when we are likely to get the debate on Welsh affairs, inasmuch as the White Paper on Developments and Government Action in Wales and Monmouthshire is now available?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. The White Paper was published on 3rd March and we would welcome a debate upon it. It is not possible at present to say on what day, and I must warn the House that it will be difficult before Easter; but it is our desire to debate this matter.

Mr. K. Robinson

Does the Leader of the House intend to provide Government time for a debate on the Cyprus Agreement before the Easter Recess?

Mr. Butler

That has been put to us officially by Her Majesty's Opposition and we would wish to find the time before Easter, if possible.

Mr. C. Hughes

In view of the wide range of subjects covered by the Report on Developments and Government Action in Wales and Monmouthshire, and also of the worsening unemployment situation in the Principality and the present grave industrial situation there, would the Lord Privy Seal consider giving two days and not one day to a discussion of Welsh affairs?

Mr. Butler

I will consider anything, but I am not sure I can carry that out.