HC Deb 07 April 1960 vol 621 cc565-8
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 (Mr. R. A. Butler)

Yes, Sir. The business for next week will be as follows:

MONDAY, 11TH APRIL—Second Reading of the Road Traffic and Roads Improvement Bill and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

TUESDAY, 12TH APRIL—Report stage of the Budget Resolutions.

Consideration of the Motion to approve the Post-War Credit (Income Tax) Amendment Regulations, 1960.

Committee stage of the International Development Association Bill.

Report and Third Reading of the Population (Statistics) Bill [Lords].

Consideration of the Motions to approve the Cinematograph Films (Collection of Levy) and (Distribution of Levy) Regulations; the National Health Service (Transfer of Officers and Compensation) (Amendment) Regulations, and similar Regulations for Scotland.

WEDNESDAY, 13TH APRIL—Supply [10th Allotted Day]: Committee. A debate will take place on Retirement Pensions until 7 o'clock.

Afterwards, a debate on the British Transport Commission Advisory Group.

These debates will take place in Committee of Supply on the appropriate Estimates.

THURSDAY, 14TH APRIL—It is proposed to meet at 11 a.m., take Questions until 12 noon, and adjourn at 5 o'clock.

Adjournment for the Easter Recess until Tuesday, 26th April.

Mr. G. Thomas

In view of the disappointment caused in Wales last week by the fact that the Leasehold Tenure (Wales) Bill, the Second Reading of which was moved by the hon. Member for Barry (Mr. Gower), was talked out at the instigation of one of the Government Whips—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] —would the Leader of the House now give us an opportunity to discuss this Measure so that the views of the House might be better discovered?

Mr. Butler

I cannot accept the allegations contained in the hon. Member's question. The purity of my right hon. Friend the Patronage Secretary and his hon. Friends is well-known in these matters. This is a matter of private Members' time and I cannot give any absolute guarantee to the hon. Member.

Mr. Callaghan

Do the right hon. Gentleman's last few words mean that he might, in certain circumstances, be willing to reconsider this matter and give Government time, in view of the fact that the leasehold system is bearing very hardly on the people of South Wales and that the Bill would give a limited measure of relief to some of them?

Mr. Butler

I realise that, but in present circumstances I cannot give an undertaking that it will be treated as other than a Private Member's Measure.

Mr. G. Wilson

In view of the number of hon. Members who are likely to want to speak in the debate on Monday on the Second Reading of the Road Traffic and Roads Improvement Bill, may I ask whether the debate could not be extended for one hour?

Mr. Butler

I had heard an idea that this might be put forward. We will give consideration to the point.

Mr. Mulley

Would the Leader of the House give consideration to the possibility of publishing a record of the proceedings in Westminster Hall this morning in the official records of the House? I think that many hon. Members who were present and heard the impressive speech of the President of France would like to feel that it was made part of the records of the House.

Mr. Butler

I am sure that we all, on both sides of the House, were profoundly impressed not only by the President's speech, but also by the nature of its delivery. We might have some difficulty, in view of the fact that this was an informal occasion, attended by both Houses, in inscribing it in our records, but if I can take advice I will.

Mr. J. Hynd

In view of the obvious uneasiness not only in this country but in the countries of the European Economic Community about the growing estrangement between us and them, are we to understand that we are not to have an opportunity before the House breaks up for Easter, or very soon afterwards, of having a debate?

Mr. Butler

There is only one remaining Supply day and the Opposition have chosen two subjects other than the one which the hon. Member has in mind. I therefore see no opportunity for the House to consider this matter before we rise for Easter.

Mr. Gaitskell

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is an extremely important question and that there is a great deal of anxiety on both sides of the House about our relations with Europe? Will he, therefore, provide time for a debate as soon as possible after the Easter Recess?

Mr. Butler

I do not think that anybody would doubt the importance or the complexity of this subject, on which there was a Question on the Order Paper today. I cannot give an undertaking at the moment, but the fact that I underline its importance indicates that I will bear it in mind.