Lords Sitting of 2 May 1952

Preamble
The House met at a quarter past eleven of the clock, The LORD AMMON on the Woolsack.
Prayers

CO-ORDINATING MINISTERS
11.19 a.m.
VISCOUNT STANSGATE: My Lords, I beg to ask the Question of which I have given private notice, and at the same time to thank the noble Earl, Lord Fortescue, for his courtesy in being prepared to answer me. The Question is: Whether there is any foundation for the statement appearing in the Press this morning, that the Prime Minister proposes to make a statement next week on the Parliamentary position of the co-ordinating Ministers; and, if so, whether this will affect the undertaking given by the noble Marquess the Leader of the House yesterday to my noble friend Lord Shepherd, that he will make a considered statement on this subject in this House next week, following yesterday's discussion.
EARL FORTESCUE: My Lords, I beg to thank the noble Viscount for having given me early notice of his intention to ask this Question. I have been in communication with my noble friend the Leader of the House, who has asked me to express his regret that he himself is unable to be present this morning. My noble friend understands that there are Questions on this subject to my right honourable friend the Prime Minister in another place early next week, and he authorises me to say that any statement of a general character which the Prime Minister may see fit to make in answer to these Questions will be communicated to your Lordships in fulfilment of his undertaking.
VISCOUNT STANSGATE: I am very grateful. There is one further question arising out of that; and it is whether Lord Leathers will be present when this statement is made. I ask this for a particular reason, because, as the noble Earl may have noticed, in the Evening Standard yesterday there was a paragraph, which perhaps I may be permitted to read:
"'I suppose we approach it differently,' Lord Leathers tells me of himself and the Ministers with whom he works. 'I do, anyway. It is a heavy task. Lord Woolton may have a reason for putting it the way he does. He may be shaping his course differently. He is wanting to preserve the standing of the Ministers, no doubt. I do not want to take any limelight from the Ministers. But I could not agree that the job is a minor one'."
That is an important constitutional statement that should have been made in this House, and I ask, therefore, whether it will be possible to ensure the attendance of Lord Leathers for any questions and discussion that may occur when the Leader of the House is making his statement.
EARL FORTESCUE: Like the noble Viscount, I saw that statement, but I regret that I am unable to add anything to the announcement I have already made.
VISCOUNT STANSGATE: I am grateful to the noble Earl.

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE BILL
Brought from the Commons; read 1a; and to be printed.

MERCHANT NAVY MEMORIAL BILL
Brought from the Commons; read 1a, and referred to the Examiners.
House adjourned at twenty-three minutes past eleven o'clock.