§ Q3. Mr. Ridleyasked the Prime Minister what machinery for co-ordination exists between Government Departments on Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to the steel industry.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 15th June to a similar Question by the hon. Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne).
§ Mr. RidleyDoes the Prime Minister feel that the machinery for co-ordination between the Minister of Power and the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs worked well on the night of the steel debate? Can he tell the House, following that sordid bargain, which policy the Government have adopted towards steel, or is the First Secretary still listening to his hon. Friends?
§ The Prime MinisterI do sympathise with the hon. Gentleman. There are so many questions on the Order Paper about the Paymaster-General and other subjects that every Question which is put down to me now is about six weeks out of date, including this Question of the hon. Gentleman's. I am perfectly satisfied with the machinery for coordination. If the hon. Gentleman wants to know the policy of the Government on this matter, if he is in any doubt, I will send him a copy of the statement that I made the Wednesday following the debate to which the hon. Gentleman referred.
§ Mr. MacleodIf the policy of the Government is clear, could the Prime Minister tell us whether his promise to 1939 the House made on 18th March that the House would be invited to pass the Steel Bill into law this Session still holds good?
§ The Prime MinisterIn the words of the lady at the Hammersmith Palais de Danse, I say to the right hon. Gentleman, "Do you come here often?" [Laughter.] It is very nice to see the right hon. Gentleman. On his question, I think that the position that the House now has to face, with the pretty fair knowledge that we are not likely to be able to introduce much new legislation between now and July—[HON. MEMBERS: "Ah."]—is that the House will have to consider its convenience in the matter, as to what part of the summer it intends to sit into. I can imagine that right hon. and hon. Gentlemen will not want to sit on 12th August, but we are prepared to receive representations. Then we shall have to decide whether our convenience is best served by extending the Session in order to get this and other necessary legislation through, or whether we should make a clean start with an early new Session. This is a matter we have to consider between us.
§ Mr. MacleodIs the Prime Minister aware that at Question Time even the Prime Minister is expected occasionally to answer questions? This one is in absolutely specific terms. On 18th March, and to great applause from his side of the House, he gave an undertaking that Parliament would be asked to pass the Steel Bill into law this session. Now, "Yes" or "No"—does that pledge hold?
§ The Prime MinisterI have said—
§ The Prime Minister—that it all depends on how long right hon. and hon. Gentlemen are prepared to sit.
§ Mr. Macleod"Yes" or "No"?
§ The Prime MinisterI know how disappointed the right hon. Gentleman is at being left behind by his right hon. Friend. I can promise him that he will not be disappointed in having this Bill early enough for him to show how he can shine.
§ Mr. Speaker"Yes" or "No" we must get some more Questions done.