HC Deb 12 February 1970 vol 795 cc1454-9
Mr. Heath

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he will state the Business of the House for next week?

The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Frederick Peart)

Yes Sir. The Business for next week will be as follows:

MONDAY, 16TH FEBRUAR—Supply [12th Allotted Day]:

Until 7 o'clock, a debate on the Building and Construction Industry.

Afterwards, a debate on the Steel Industry.

Both will arise on Opposition Motions.

TUESDAY, 17TH FEBRUARY—Remaining stages of the Roads (Scotland) Bill.

Motions on the Rate Rebates (Limits of Income) (Scotland) Order, on the Census Order, and on the Banking Companies (Accounts) Regulations.

WEDNESDAY, 18TH FEBRUARY—Debate on a Motion to take note of the White Paper on Reform of Local Government in England, (Command No. 4276).

THURSDAY, 19TH FEBRUARY—Supply [13th Allotted Day]:

Until 7 o'clock, a debate on Decimalisation, on an Opposition Motion.

The Chairman of Ways and Means has named Opposed Private Business for consideration at 7 o'clock.

FRIDAY, 20TH FEBRUARY—Private Members' Bills.

MONDAY, 23RD FEBRUARY—Private Members' Motions until 7 o'clock.

Afterwards, further opposed Private Business.

Mr. Heath

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether he has any plan for a debate on the White Paper on the Common Market, which the Prime Minister introduced yesterday? Is he aware that we will want a debate on the Green Paper on the National Health Service within a reasonable time? Thirdly, could he tell the House when the Defence White Paper will be published.

Mr. Peart

The Defence White Paper will be published, it is hoped, on Thursday, 19th February. I agree that there should be a debate on the Green Paper. My right hon. Friend mentioned this yesterday. On the question of the Common Market, I cannot give a specific time for a debate, but I hope that it will be very soon and that it will be a two-day debate.

Several Hon. Members rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. We have an important debate ahead, in which 25 hon. Members have informed me they wish to take part. I have a feeling that the House feels that Business questions are taking up too much time. I hope that hon. Members will show commendable restraint when considering whether to put such questions.

Mr. Maclennan

Can my right hon. Friend say whether time will be provided shortly to debate the Government's Green Paper on Defence Research Establishments?

Mr. Peart

I cannot promise a debate.

Several Hon. Members rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Despite my appeal I see that a number of hon. Members are rising. Dame Irene Ward.

Dame Irene Ward

May I ask the Leader of the House whether we will have a statement next week on nurses' pay? If he wishes, in case the Government have forgotten the case for the nurses' increased pay and salary structure, I will send him a paper that he can hand on to those responsible.

Mr. Peart

I hope that the hon. Lady appreciates that negotiations are now going on—

Dame Irene Ward

Too long.

Mr. Peart

But I cannot promise a statement until they are completed.

Mr. John Lee

May I ask my right hon. Friend for an assurance that the debate on the Common Market will be a three-day debate, in view of tile importance of the matter?

Mr. Peart

I cannot give that assurance.

Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

Further to the point raised by the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan), may I ask the Leader of the House whether he can find time fairly soon to debate the Report of the Select Committee on the Defence Research Establishment and the Green Paper on the future of the Civil Research Establishment? There is big money in this matter and considerable interest in the country. We have now been waiting many months for the debate.

Mr. Peart

I am aware that it is an important report. But I have other reports as well. I must decide priorities. I note what has been said.

Mr. Brooks

As over 130 Members on both sides have asked the Government to find time to debate the Deer Hunting and Hare Coursing Abolition Bill, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is yet in a position to make an announcement?

Mr. Peart

I cannot say anything further to what I said last week. I will see how business proceeds.

Mr. Temple

Is the Leader of the House aware that, following the setting-up of Standing Committee J, there are now 10 Standing Committees in the House and that the staff and equipment of the House are inadequate to cope with the burden? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Committee corridor looks like a general dealer's out-house? It is in a shocking state. Is he aware that furniture has to be removed from the Grand Committee room twice weekly to turn the Standing Committee suite into a room suitable for a Standing Committee? Is the right hon. Gentleman or his right hon. Friend the Deputy Leader of the House responsible for this muddle?

Mr. Peart

There is no question of any muddle. Hon. Members know the difficulties of accommodation in an old building until we get the new one. We can cater for this. After all, there is no burden on individual Members. I should like to see more Members attending Committees.

Mr. Ogden

With respect to your previous restraint, Mr. Speaker, I suggest that there must be time for a Member to ask a question at a particular time if he thinks that it is important.

May I ask—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Before the hon. Gentleman puts his question, may I say that the Chair is seized of the position. It is a question of degree. Business questions have stretched out quite a long time. There are important debates. There is one today.

Mr. Ogden

May I ask the Leader of the House to look at Wednesday's debate on the White Paper on Local Government—a one-day debate? Is this to be the first of a series of debates? Will he compare it with the fact that we often have two-day debates on matters over which we have less control than over local government?

Mr. Peart

I think that the time will be adequate on Wednesday.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Will the Leader of the House provide time to debate air transport, as the Edwards Report was published over six months ago? Air fares in Britain are being increased and there is growing concern in the country about air near-misses and air traffic control. It is a long time since the House had a debate on this modern industry.

Mr. Peart

I am aware of the position. Representations have been made to me. Major debates on defence, the Common Market and spring Supply are coming up. I cannot find time for a long time ahead.

Mr. Gurden

Further to the question put by my hon. Friend the Member for the City of Chester (Mr. Temple), will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the accommodation for Standing Committees could best be used if it were allocated according to the size of the Committee and of the room needed?

Mr. Peart

That is a sensible suggestion, which I will note.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

In view of some of the misconceptions that have been deliberately put about, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he can find time for a debate on the subject of law and order, so that the facts can be put before the country?

Mr. Peart

If right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite wish to choose a Supply day, this can be done. But my hon. Friend should not panic. The Government have a very good case on this subject.

Mr. Costain

Is the Leader of the House aware that conditions in the building industry are the worst since the war? Is it not scandalous that the Government will not give any of their time so that the House may debate it and not have to rely on half a day from the Opposition for this purpose?

Mr. Peart

I am sure that if the hon. Gentleman catches Mr. Speaker's eye, he, with his long experience, will be able to emphasise the points he wishes to have noted. There is a debate on Monday.

Mr. Lubbock

You, Mr. Speaker, may not be aware that the Liberal Party plays no part in the discussions through the usual channels for the arrangement of business. Therefore, I hope that you will not be disturbed at my seeking to raise a point at Business Question time.

Further to the question raised by the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Mr. Ogden), may I ask the Leader of the House whether he is aware that, whatever information may have been conveyed to him through the usual channels about hon. Members wishing to take part in the debate on local government, there is widespread anxiety about the proposals in the White Paper and that many Members will wish to speak?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider suggesting to the Opposition that they give up their Supply day on Thursday to make the debate on the White Paper on the reform of local government a two-day debate?

Mr. Peart

That is not a matter for me. I have noted what has been said, but I have announced the Business. Hon. Members will have opportunities in the debate. I am prepared to consider an extension of time on that day.

Mr. Farr

Can the Leader of the House tell us in what manner the White Paper on the E.E.C. will be placed before the House and whether we will have an opportunity of voting on the issue?

Mr. Peart

I am not sure about the specific question, as I did not hear it. I understand that it referred to the form of the debate. It will be noted.