HC Deb 04 July 1966 vol 731 cc43-6
The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Herbert Bowden)

Following the requests that the foreign affairs debate should be expedited, it has now been arranged for Thursday, 7th July and Monday, 11th July.

On the first day there will be a discussion on Vietnam. The second day, the Third Allotted Supply Day, will be general.

I wish to announce also an addition to the Business for Wednesday. It has been agreed that before entering on the two Bills—Building Control Bill and the Docks and Harbours Bill—already announced, there should be a short debate of, say, two hours, on the Motion in the name of the Leader of the Opposition relating to the Conduct of the Chairman of Ways and Means.

[That this House regrets that the Chairman of Ways and Means, having selected for simultaneous discussion 16 Amendments numbered 34, 147, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 39, 40, 161, 175, 220, 361, and 73, of Clause 42 of the Finance Bill, failed to ensure adequate discussion of this Clause, which raises £1,100 million of taxation, by accepting a Motion for the Closure of Debate when a large number of Members still wished to speak during the sitting of Wednesday 29th June, thus infringing the rights of minorities.]

Mr. Heath

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the House will be glad that he has found it possible to arrange for a debate on Vietnam to take place this week? May I ask two questions? First, what is his intention as to the form of the debate? Secondly, it will not have escaped his notice that the day which he has chosen coincides with the visit of the French Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to this country, which will no doubt involve a number of members of the Government as well as Members from this side of the House. In those circumstances, will he give an assurance that the Prime Minister will be able to open the debate and to make a statement of Government policy and also to listen to the views expressed by hon. Members in the course of the debate?

Mr. Bowden

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that, in considering the day next week on which to debate Vietnam, we had very much in mind the visit of the French Prime Minister. That was one of the problems which had to be taken into consideration. The Prime Minister will be here at intervals during the debate. Whether he will be able to hear the whole debate it is not possible to say at this stage. The decision whether he should open or wind up the debate is a matter for the Government. The debate on Vietnam will take place on a Government Motion. On the second day it is an Opposition day, a Supply Day, and it is a matter for the Opposition.

Mr. Thorpe

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the debate on Vietnam will be widely welcomed in all quarters of the House? May we hope that this is the beginning of a state of affairs in which the proceedings of the House will be subordinated to the wishes of its Members?

Mr. Bowden

I was not unaware that last Thursday the House courteously and calmly asked me to consider further a debate, and this I have done.

Mr. Stratton Mills

What is the point of having this debate before the Prime Minister goes to Washington? Surely it is not in the national interest to expose the Prime Minister to further humiliations?

Mr. Bowden

The point of having this debate before my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister goes to Washington is that I was asked for a debate from both sides of the House.

Mr. Paget

In view of the very large number of hon. Members who wish to be heard in this debate, will my right hon. Friend consider arranging an additional hour?

Mr. Bowden

I am quite prepared to consider it, but it does not often work out to the advantage of the House.

Sir G. Nabarro

Will the debate on Thursday be on a Motion of confidence in Her Majesty's Government, and does the new Chief Whip propose to issue a three-line Whip for his supporters or otherwise?

Mr. Bowden

It will be on a Government Motion on Vietnam.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

In view of the resignation of the Minister of Technology and the split, now obvious, on the Government Front Bench as well as on the back benches, will the Leader of the House arrange for a debate so that we may discuss the White Paper which the right hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Cousins) has sent' to the Prime Minister and hear a statement from him?

Mr. Bowden

This question could perhaps more appropriately be addressed to me on the business exchanges on Thursday.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

While fully supporting the suggestion of my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition that the Prime Minister should open the debate, is it not necessary for a proper discussion of Vietnam that we should have a statement in good time from the Foreign Secretary about his visit to Canberra, which bears on the whole question, and in particular on our relations with Australia?

Mr. Bowden

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be engaged in the debate on one day if not on both days.

Mr. Zilliacus

While we are glad that my right hon. Friend has acceded to the wish of the House and arranged this debate for Thursday, may I ask whether he will consider—as already requested—giving an extra hour in view of the importance of the subject and the great number of hon. Members who will undoubtedly want to take part in the debate?

Mr. Bowden

I have said that I am prepared to look at the question of an extra hour.