§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. James Prior)Mr. Speaker, with permission, I should like to make a business statement.
The business for this week will be as follows:
WEDNESDAY, 17TH OCTOBER—Motion to take note of the Consultative Document on the Price and Pay Code for Stage 3 (Command No. 5444).
Motion on the Southern Rhodesia (Distribution to Creditors) Order.
THURSDAY, 18TH OCTOBER—Second Reading of the Pensioners Payments and National Insurance Bill.
A debate on the Middle East, which will arise on a motion for the Adjournment of the House.
FRIDAY, 19TH OCTOBER—Remaining stages of the Pensioners Payments and National Insurance Bill.
42 Motion to take note of the Erroll Report on Liquor Licensing Laws (Command No. 5154).
MONDAY, 22ND OCTOBER—Consideration of Lords Amendments to the Local Government (Scotland) Bill.
§ Mr. Harold WilsonI should like to assure the Leader of the House that we shall do everything in our power to get the Second Reading debate through as quickly as possibly on Thursday so that the House will have the fullest time possible for the Middle East debate. We should like to thank the Government for acceding to our request for an early debate on the Middle East. The House has shown its concern over the issue in the exchanges which have just taken place. Will the right hon. Gentleman, however, confirm that in order to make this possible we agreed to postpone the Supply Day on the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement and related questions? Will he also confirm that time will be found for the debate next week before the Session ends.
§ Mr. PriorOn the second point, I confirm that we shall be finding time next week for a debate on the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement. On the first question I am grateful for the right hon. Gentleman's assurance that we shall get the Pensions Bill through quickly as the House will want to get on with the debate on the Middle East.
§ Mr. Cyril SmithHas the Leader of the House any information concerning the order of business as to when we may expect the writ to be moved for the Berwick-upon-Tweed by-election? Whilst we have no objection to the right hon. Gentleman manipulating the business of the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party has a little unfinished business in that constituency.
§ Mr. PriorI am to have consultations with the hon. Member in whose name the writ at the moment stands on the Order Paper. Following that I am certain that we can come to an arrangement agreeable to all the House.