HC Deb 24 May 1968 vol 765 cc1092-3
The Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Fred Peart)

With permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a short business statement.

In order to meet what I deem to be the wishes of the House, the Business on Thursday, 30th May, has been rearranged as follows:

Consideration of the Lords Amendment to the Industrial Expansion Bill.

Remaining stages of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Bill, which is a Consolidation Measure.

Prayers relating to the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations.

Mr. Pavitt

Is my right hon. Friend aware that those of us who objected yesterday have sympathy with him in the difficult task he has been set by the bad timing resulting from the arbitrary decision to impose the charges on 10th June? I express to him our appreciation for the quick way in which he has responded to our wishes.

Mr. G. Campbell

Can the Leader of the House confirm that it is intended that the remaining stages of the Transport Bill will be taken also on Tuesday morning and Thursday morning? Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the Motion in today's Order Paper in my name and the names of some of my hon. Friends representing Scottish constituencies deploring the fact that this will mean a clash of times with the Scottish Grand Committee, resulting in hon. Members being unable to take part in important debates on the Floor of the House on a Measure that will have an adverse effect on Scotland?

[That this House deplores the fact that the Government have so overloaded Parliament with undigested legislation as to make it necessary for the remaining stages of the Transport Bill to take place on the mornings of Tuesday 28th and Thursday 30th May, when the Scottish Standing Committee will be sitting, with the result that members of the Committee are unlikely to be able to partici pate in debates in the House on a measure which would seriously affect their constituencies.]

Mr. Peart

I answered this question yesterday. It does not arise on this statement.

Mr. Emery

I should like to press this matter further. There are not only Scottish Committees, but a number of other important Committees sitting—

Mr. Speaker

Order. We cannot go back to yesterday's business questions.