§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Francis Pym)With permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a short business announcement.
THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER—Supply [1st Allotted Day]. There will be a debate on encroachments on local government autonomy, which will arise on an Opposition motion.
FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER—Debate on the Government's measures to help small businesses, which will arise on a motion for the Adjournment of the House.
§ Mr. Charles R. Morris (Manchester, Openshaw)Is the Leader of the House aware of the reports in the national press today of helicopters being used in the course of an industrial dispute affecting my constituency and the premises of Laurence Scott Ltd? Will the right hon. Gentleman make time available next week for a statement by the Home Secretary indicating the part played by 150 policemen of the Greater Manchester police authority in the use of helicopters in the dispute? Is he further aware that it is widely believed that the pilot of the helicopter breached the air regulations appertaining to the use of helicopters in heavily urbanised and built-up city areas? In those circumstances, why on earth did the police co-operate in a breach of the air traffic regulations governing helicopters?
§ Mr. PymI cannot comment on the details of the incident, but I give the right hon. Gentleman an undertaking that I shall convey his request to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. We have had a brief Business Statement today. I propose to call those hon. Members who have risen to ask questions and then to move on to the application under Standing Order No. 9.
§ Mr. A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed)Although the Leader of the House has not managed to squeeze it into the business for next week, will he recognise the importance of having an early debate on the report of the Select Committee on Agriculture on animal welfare and other documents on the subject that are arousing public interest?
§ Mr. Peter Emery (Honiton)Has my right hon. Friend studied the report of the Select Committee on Procedure (Supply) and its recommendations? As the Queen's Speech presages somewhat less legislation this year, may we be assured of a debate on that report as soon as possible, with the possibility that we shall be able to proceed this Session with one of the Committee's recommendations,—if it were accepted by the House—rather than wait until next Session?
§ Mr. PymMy hon. Friend draws the attention of the House to an important report. It is in my mind to have a debate at some point, but I cannot at present say when. I should like the House to express an opinion about the report, and I shall arrange a debate at some stage.
§ Mr. Bob Cryer (Keighley)Will the Leader of the House assure us that next week, either on Thursday or Friday, although preferably not Friday, a statement will be 115 made on the renegotiation of the multi-fibre arrangement? On 10 November the Brussels Council of Ministers will meet to discuss the textile negotiations. As the right hon. Gentleman will no doubt appreciate, the negotiations are vital to both the Lancashire and Yorkshire textile industries. It is important, therefore, that a statement is made to the House by a Minister, because Ministers have changed their positions since representations were last made by an all-party textile group and we should be kept up to date on the negotiations that are taking place.
§ Mr. PymI appreciate the importance of the subject. Indeed, we had a day's debate on it last Session. I shall convey the hon. Gentleman's request to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade.
§ Mr. James Hill (Southampton, Test)My right hon. Friend will be aware of today's report by the Scottish Law Commission on the principles and financing of divorce. The implications of the report for the Commission that is considering the English and Welsh provisions for the principles and financing of divorce will obviously be of some importance. Will he ensure that as soon as the decision by the English Commission is revealed he will allow a full day's debate on this matter?
§ Mr. PymI shall keep that request in mind. At this stage I cannot give any undertaking, but I note what my hon. Friend has said.
§ Mr. Ioan Evans (Aberdare)Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement by Alexander Haig that a nuclear bomb demonstration will occur somewhere in Europe? May we have a statement next week on the Government's response?
§ Mr. PymI doubt whether there will be an appropriate opportunity for such a debate, but no doubt hon. Members will have noted what has been said on this important issue. Up to a point, this might be relevant to the debate on the Loyal Address in reply to the Queen's Speech, which is now before the House.