§ Mr. Harold WilsonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Since we heard at lunchtime on the radio that the Government intend to seek emergency powers over the coal dispute which we shall be 1137 debating this afternoon, and while recognising that there are certain formal procedures to go through following a meeting of the Privy Council, would it not be an act of courtesy for the Leader of the House to inform the House officially if it is the decision of the Government to seek emergency powers so that in the debate we do not have to go round and round the question of whether the Government have taken the decision which they appear to have announced?
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. William Whitelaw)Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am grateful to the right hon. Member for the way in which he has put his point of order. As the House is to debate this important subject, I felt it was reasonable for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment to set out in his speech the various proposals about this dispute. He will make clear the Government's position on emergency powers. I think that is the proper way of doing it, because the whole subject is to be debated this afternoon. [Interruption.] If the right hon. Gentleman thinks that is the wrong way of doing it then I am sorry. I thought it was in the best interests of the House so that the House should have the utmost time to debate the subject.
§ Mr. Harold WilsonFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker, and the right hon. Gentleman's evident desire to help the House. If this is regarded, from the point of view of the House, as a secret matter until the Secretary of State formally informs the House, why did the Government put it out to the B.B.C. and the Press this morning? It is already top headlines in the evening Press. Would the right hon. Gentleman now help the House by saying whether what the Government have put out is true or untrue?
§ Mr. WhitelawFurther to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I thought it was right that my right hon. Friend should inform the House, and he was intending so to do. Since the matter has now been raised, I can confirm that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment will make it clear to the House that the Government are seeking emergency powers, that this matter is subject to the holding of a Council and subject thereafter to any messages from the Council of State which will be brought to this House by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and subject thereafter to the proper procedure and debate in the House. All of that will be arranged in accordance with the proper procedures.