HC Deb 06 November 1972 vol 845 cc637-8
The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. James Prior)

Following the statement of my right hon. Friend, I wish to announce the following changes of business.

The debates arranged for Wednesday, 8th November, on Irish Affairs will be postponed until Monday, 13th November, to allow the House to consider the Second Reading of the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Bill. In consequence, the business already announced for next Monday will be deferred until Tuesday, 14th November.

Mr. Harold Wilson

As this is the right hon. Gentleman's first statement to the House in his new capacity, may I offer the best wishes of the whole House to him? May I further congratulate him, at such a moment of time, on getting out from under, after the largest food price rises in our history? Will he convey to the Prime Minister our congratulations that, as we are to have this legislation on Wednesday, the Prime Minister has decided that he had to get rid of this particular bogey in respect of inflation?

Sir Harmar Nicholls

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not out of order—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Is it not out of order to take up time allotted to business statements in order to make partisan propaganda?

Mr. Speaker

There are many attempts in the House to take up the time by making partisan points. Sometimes I wish that I could interfere with them. But if the right hon. Gentleman had been out of order I should have so ruled.

Mr. Wilson

As we all sympathise with the hon. Gentleman and are all jealous of the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. Buck) on his promotion, may I put one final—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. I am not quite certain where we are getting, but the House must subside.

Mr. Wilson

I meant the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas). I have congratulated the hon. Gentleman personally. May I put a final question to the right hon. Gentleman? When the Prime Minister speaks on Wednesday, will the right hon. Gentleman represent to him that, if he cannot keep his promises, he might keep his temper?

Mr. Prior

The right hon. Gentleman has been his usual kind self. The only trouble is that he takes an awful long while to say things. That apart, however, no doubt the Prime Minister has heard every word of the right hon. Gentleman and will deal with it in his usual competent fashion.