HC Deb 27 July 1961 vol 645 cc607-9
Mr. Gaitskell

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he will state the business of the House 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, 31ST JULY—Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation Bill.

A debate will take place on Foreign Affairs.

TUESDAY, 1ST AUGUST—Committee and remaining stages of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill.

A debate will take place on Industrial Injuries, which it is thought may last for half a day, and be followed by any subjects which hon. Members may wish to raise.

WEDNESDAY, 2ND AUGUST—Debate On the Common Market on a Government Motion.

Further consideration of Lords Amendments to the Licensing Bill, if not already completed.

THURSDAY, 3RD AUGUST—Conclusion of the debate on the Common Market.

FRIDAY, 4TH AUGUST—Adjournment for the Summer Recess.

I will make a statement next week about the proposed date of our return after the Recess.

Mr. Gaitskell

Can the Leader of the House say when the Government Motion on the Common Market will be available?

Mr. Butler

I think probably on Monday.

Mr. S. Silverman

In view of the forthcoming debate on the Common Market Motion, which we are to have perhaps on Monday, can the right hon. Gentleman undertake that when the Lord Privy Seal goes to Geneva on Fri- day to consult our partners in E.F.T.A. he will not make any statement anticipating the statement which the Prime Minister is to make on Monday on the same subject, so that the House of Commons may know the Government's intentions before anybody else?

Mr. Butler

I think that we may rely on the discretion of my right hon. Friend. I will certainly draw his attention to the point raised by the hon. Gentleman, which undoubtedly reflects the views of the House.

Sir C. Osborne

The Leader of the House said that after the half-day debate on Tuesday any subject could be raised by hon. Members on the back benches on either side. Will the business that day be exempted business?

Mr. Butler

The Appropriation Bill is always exempted business.

Mr. Paget

Will the Leader of the House tall us how his right hon. Friend will consult his E.F.T.A. colleagues without telling them what our views are?

Mr. Butler

I said that we could rely on the discretion of my right hon. Friend.

Mr. H. Hynd

In view of the many facets of the Common Market problem, will the Leader of the House give an assurance that there will be a free vote on both sides on this question?

Mr. Butler

I said last week that the Government have a policy, and would support that policy in the Lobby.

Mr. Nabarro

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that many of my hon. Friends and I are looking forward with eager anticipation to a debate on the Motion on the Order Paper in the name of my right hon. Friend on House of Lords reform? Will he give the House an assurance that this important matter will not be squeezed out before the end of the Session, and that, were that to happen, he will undertake to put down the same Motion for the early days of next Session?

Mr. Butler

There simply will not be time to take this Motion before we adjourn and, therefore, we must take it later.

Mr. Mellish

Is there any hope of getting a statement before we go away for the Summer Recess, next week, on the conclusions of the negotiations which the Government had with the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland to help them out of their special economic difficulties, which are even worse than those of England, Wales and Scotland?

Mr. Butler

A special advisory committee has been set up under Sir Herbert Brittain to advise both Governments on the best way of proceeding. I do not think that its final report will be out before we adjourn. If there is any news to give the House, we will give it.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when we are to have a debate on civil defence? Is he aware that President Kennedy has just announced a large programme and a large sum of money for civil defence, including underground shelters? Is the Minister content that America is to have these measures of civil defence and that we are to have very little?

Mr. Butler

I cannot make a statement on policy at business time. All I can say is that it is obvious from my announcement about next week's business that there will be no opportunity for a general debate on civil defence.

Dame Irene Ward

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether Lord Radcliffe is to report before the House rises for the Recess, or are we to adjourn without knowing how our security, which is very important, is to be tightened up? Could I raise that on Tuesday?

Mr. Butler

Hon. Members are free to raise matters which are in order on the Appropriation Bill. I cannot make any further comment on my hon. Friend's intentions. I have not had information from Lord Radcliffe as to when he is to report.

Mr. Jeger

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where he is going for his holiday, and whether he intends to make any speeches?

Mr. Speaker

Attractive as holidays are, they are not business.