HC Deb 16 December 1965 vol 722 cc1465-70
Mr. Heath

May I ask the Leader of the House to give us the business for next week?

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Bowden)

The business for next week will be as follows:

MONDAY, 20TH DECEMBER—Supply [4th Allotted Day]: Committee, which, if the Committee agrees, will be taken formally when a debate will be opened on foreign affairs.

TUESDAY, 21ST DECEMBER—Conclusion of the debate on foreign affairs, on a Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

The Business for the first week after the Christmas Adjournment will be as follows:

TUESDAY, 25TH JANUARY—Debate on a Motion to take note of the Albemarle Report on the Future of the Youth Employment Service.

WEDNESDAY, 26TH JANUARY—Supply [5th Allotted Day]: Motion to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair, when debate will arise on an Amendment to take note of the 1964–65 Fifth Report and the Third Special Report from the Estimates Committee on grants to universities and colleges.

THURSDAY, 27TH JANUARY—Supply [6th Allotted Day]: Committee. There will be a debate on a subject to be announced later.

FRIDAY, 28TH JANUARY—Private Members' Bills.

Mr. Heath

I understand that the Leader of the House has already given an assurance about the recall of Parliament, that he will listen to all representations made by Members of this House and will be willing to repeat that assurance. Will the Leader of the House accept that we will let him know the subject of the debate for Thursday, 27th January, nearer the time?

Mr. Bowden

I gave a firm assurance yesterday that, under Standing Order 117, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister would be prepared to receive representations from the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, or from any Member of the House, to request Mr. Speaker to recall Parliament during the Recess. On the second point, I should be grateful if the right hon Gentleman could let the Government know the subject in sufficient time to acquaint hon. Members of it.

Captain Orr

Is the Leader of the House aware that a number of important matters have arisen, including what we understand will be a grave statement affecting our aircraft industry in Belfast, which make a debate on Northern Ireland peculiarly opportune? Would he say when we may expect this?

Mr. Bowden

We have had a debate on Northern Ireland within the last six to eight weeks. It is usual to have two half-days in a Session, and I will see what can be done a little later on.

Mr. Strauss

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether we shall have next week the Government's conclusions on the coordination or integration of our transport services, which the Minister of Transport has promised to report to the House before Christmas?

Mr. Bowden

No, Sir. I am afraid I cannot promise those conclusions next week.

Mr. Shepherd

Is the Leader of the House aware that the Government made lavish promises about dealing with monoplies and restrictive practices, yet we are still without any Bill dealing with notification agreements and other harmful devices? Can he tell us whether he proposes to deal with this most important matter?

Mr. Bowden

Not without notice. I will consult my hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and write to the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Abse

The Leader of the House will be aware that it is nearly 12 months since the Government announced that they were accepting the recommendations of the Tucker Report which included restrictions upon the reporting of sensational murder trials. Would the Leader of the House indicate, in view of the great need in such cases to have 12 unprejudiced jurors, when it is intended to bring in the legislation which was promised 12 months ago?

Mr. Bowden

I cannot promise anything very firm at the moment, but here again I will consult with my right hon. Friend.

Dame Irene Ward

When shall we get a statement about the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company?

Mr. Bowden

Probably within the next half hour.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Mikardo.

Mr. Bowden

May I correct what I have just said? As early as possible.

Dame Irene Ward rose——

Mr. Speaker

I had called the hon. Member for Poplar (Mr. Mikardo). I understand that the hon. Lady wants to address me on a point of order.

Dame Irene Ward

Not on a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

Then the hon. Lady must sit down.

Mr. Mikardo

It is widely anticipated that the report of the Plowden Committee will be published this afternoon. Could my right hon. Friend say whether there is an expectation that we shall have an opportunity of debating it not too long after we return in January?

Mr. Bowden

I can be more definite on that. As soon as possible after the Christmas Recess.

Mr. Peter Walker

In view of the fact that a number of Midland industrialists have been informed this week that their gas supplies are likely to be cut off in the event of a cold spell in the next four months, could the Minister of Power make a statement on this next week?

Mr. Bowden

I will certainly speak to my right hon. Friend about that.

Dr. Bray

In view of the precedent set on Tuesday, will my right hon. Friend set aside a day next week for hon. Members opposite to make personal statements on their Division records?

Mr. Bessell

In support of the plea made by the right hon. Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Strauss) about a statement by the Minister of Transport, may I ask the Leader of the House whether he is aware that the Minister of Transport gave a clear undertaking that he would make a statement on co-ordinated transport services before Christmas? May we therefore hope that we shall have that statement next week?

Mr. Bowden

While I cannot promise a statement before Christmas—we are getting very near the Recess—I will certainly consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport on the matter.

Mr. Snow

As one interested in the reform of procedure, does my right hon. Friend confirm that next Monday's Vote on Supply will not be considered with Supply?

Mr. Bowden

Would my hon. Friend kindly repeat the question?

Mr. Snow

As one interested in the reform of procedure in the House, can my right hon. Friend confirm that next Monday's debate on Supply will have nothing to do with Supply?

Mr. Bowden

When we have a two-day debate on foreign affairs, it is quite normal for the Opposition of the day to concede one of their Supply Days for that purpose. That is all that is happening next week.

Mr. Warbey

As next week's debate is on foreign affairs and there is no provision for a debate on Commonwealth affairs before the Recess, can my right hon. Friend say whether the unprecedented action of two members of the Commonwealth breaking off diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom and its possible repercussions may be regarded as a matter which can be properly debated as affecting the foreign relations of this country?

Mr. Bowden

The two-day debate on foreign affairs on Monday and Tuesday next week is on the Adjournment when I should have thought that it would be in order to raise any matter.

Sir Rolf Dudley Williams

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that before any action is taken by the Government concerning the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company we shall have an opportunity in the House to discuss any proposals?

Mr. Bowden

I cannot assure the House that there will be an opportunity of discussing the matter before any action is taken. All that I can assure the House about is that my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State will report to the House as soon as he has a firm statement to make.

Mr. Rose

Will time be provided in the near future for a debate on the White Papers on the juvenile offender and the adult offender?

Mr. Bowden

I will note my hon. Friend's request, but I cannot promise that there will be a debate immediately after the Recess.

Mr. Paget

My right hon. Friend told us last week that we would have a debate on the Royal Warrant for Service pensioners. Can he indicate when it will take place?

Mr. Bowden

I hope that this would be fitted in one evening this week after 10 o'clock. That has not been possible. Perhaps my hon. and learned Friend will discuss the matter with me. It could perhaps be fitted in tomorrow if there is time. I will see what can be done next week if we cannot deal with it tomorrow.

Mr. Doughty

On the question of the personal statement of my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Box), will the right hon. Gentleman find time for the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, West (Dr. Bray), who made an unwarranted attack upon my hon. Friend, to apologise and withdraw?

Mr. Royle

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Defence Review will be completed and published?

Mr. Bowden

I have answered that question on three successive Thursdays. The answer is the same as it was last week and on the two previous Thursdays.

Mr. Francis Noel-Baker

Is my right hon. Friend aware that throughout the country, and not least in constituencies with an important railway interest, there is a great deal of anxiety, not to say impatience, over the Minister of Transport's statement about the co-ordination of transport? Would he look again at the possibility of having that statement made before Christmas? If not, will he give a firm assurance that it will be made immediately after the Christmas Recess?

Mr. Bowden

I have already given the House the assurance that I will discuss this with the Minister of Transport. I am afraid that I cannot commit my right hon. Friend from this Box.

Mr. Murray

Is it likely that we can have a debate soon on the Brambell Report on factory farming and the Little-wood Report on vivisection?

Mr. Bowden

I said last week that it might be generally desirable to have a short debate on the Brambell Report if we could arrange it after the Recess. I would rather consider the question of the Littlewood Report.