HC Deb 25 November 1974 vol 882 cc45-6
The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Edward Short)

In view of the announcement which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has just made, the business for Thursday 28th November will be changed.

Instead of the debate on the Price Code, the House will be invited to deal with the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Bill. This debate will be followed by the EEC business already announced.

The motions relating to the Post Office will be postponed until Monday next.

I note what the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition has said about a general debate on Northern Ireland. I shall do my best to arrange it for next week.

Mr. Heath

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for giving us notice of the change in business. Naturally, the fate of the EEC orders will depend on the speed with which we are able to deal with the Home Secretary's Bill. I am grateful to the Leader of the House for giving us an assurance that we shall have a general debate on Northern Ireland, which he hopes to arrange for next week.

Mr. Powell

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, especially in the light of the Home Secretary's remark that he hopes that the Bill will reach another place on Thursday evening, the very important matters arising directly out of the Bill which may require considerable debate in the interests of many parts of the United Kingdom? Therefore, will he hold himself free from any commitment about when the Bill might be expected elsewhere?

Mr. Short

Certainly, but the motion for the debate on Thursday will ensure that the House will not be adjourned until the Bill has received the Royal Assent. However, the right hon. Gentleman will note that I have promised a general debate in the following week.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

In view of the comments of the Home Secretary a few minutes ago, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that if a suitable opportunity does not arise in private Members' time the Government will in due course provide time for a debate on capital punishment?

Mr. Short

The House will have noted what my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has said. If it is the desire of the House to have a debate of that kind, I shall try to find time for it. However, the whole House will perhaps wish the events of the past week to recede a little into the past before we debate this matter.