HC Deb 29 January 1968 vol 757 cc872-4
39. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange the provision of an additional four days per Session for debates on reports from Select Committees of the House.

Mr. Crossman

I prefer to deal with this on a case by case basis.

Mr. Hamilton

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that the present situation is very unfair? The Select Committees and Specialist Committees are working very hard producing Reports which are neither debated nor dealt with in any other way in this House. Will he not get down to the problem and see what can be done to provide more time for debates on them?

Mr. Crossman

Certainly this is a matter we have to consider, but one has also to consider that when a Specialist Committee reports we have to await the reply of the Department. That applies to the Specialist Committee on Science and Technology, which is the major Report we have yet to debate. I am determined we shall have it debated. However, I do not think we should proceed to treat this as an en bloc idea; each Report should be considered on its merits.

Mr. Hogg

As I read the original Question it referred to Select Committees rather than to Specialist Committees. Will the right hon. Gentleman, in considering the matter on a case by case basis, bear in mind the Select Committee on Privileges of this House?

Mr. Crossman

Indeed I will, and I think we must have it debated, but when I suggested it for early debate the right hon. and learned Gentleman, very properly, said that he wanted more time to discuss it, and so I will give him a little more time.

Mrs. Renée Short

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Estimates Committee has produced four or five Reports which have received Departmental replies? Would he consider giving time for them, notably the one published list August about prisons?

Mr. Crossman

Yes. I have it very much under active consideration and hope to make a statement in the near future.

Mr. Lubbock

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise how unsatisfacory it is for the nuclear reactor industry in this country not to have decisions made on its future? Does he not see the dangers of the Americans getting ahead of us in nuclear technology, such as for high temperature reactors, while these decisions are depending on the Ministry of Technology? Will he use his influence to see that this debate will also be at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Crossman

Not, I think, at the earliest possible moment, because, as I have explained to the hon. Member, the Report of the Committee was a very serious and considered document, and I think he will agree that we really should have our debate on the basis of the Report and the White Paper in reply. It has taken some weeks to appear, but I can give the hon. Member the assurance that I will not allow my right hon. Friend a moment longer than he needs to produce a really good Report, and then we can have a first-rate debate.

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