HL Deb 02 August 1956 vol 199 cc559-60
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME)

My Lords, the noble Viscount, Lord Alexander of Hillsborough asked me yesterday whethed I could say something more about the statutory instrument controlling the allowance of milk in day nurseries, and why the date fixed for the coming into operation of the Order was September 1. I had hoped that the noble Lord, Lord Silkin, would be here. However, perhaps I may explain that, as I understand it, this instrument has the effect of bringing the milk allowance for day nurseries into line with that for nursery schools. The choice of date, Septem- ber 1, was necessary in order to fit in with the school year. On the question of praying against the Order, it is of course possible to pray against the substance of the Order, if noble Lords object to that, when we return in October.

LORD HENDERSON

My Lords, if, in praying against the Order, the Prayer were carried, would the Government withdraw the Order? I think the point that my noble friend was making was that it would be a farce to pray against the Order after it had come into operation and if the Order would not in due course be affected by the Prayer.

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, I suppose that if those who prayed against an Order carried their Prayer, then the Order would have to be withdrawn. That is a hypothetical question, and we had better wait until the day. I thought I would just make the position clear. I have told my right honourable friend the Minister of Health that this is not a very convenient practice and I hope in future, that we shall be able to avoid anything of the kind.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, I think my noble friend's point, too, was, would the Prayer have retrospective effect? We shall not be coming back until the end of October, and there cannot be a Prayer until then. That will take us through till the end of November. If a Prayer were successful then, what would be the result on the people who, presumably, would either have paid extra for milk or would not have had the amount of milk that they are now getting and will get up to September 1? That was really my noble friend's point.

LORD TEVIOT

My Lords, no doubt my noble friend in reply will say that the milk has already been drunk.

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, my noble friend Lord Teviot has taken the words out of my mouth.

House adjourned during pleasure.

House resumed.