§ Viscount RIDLEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the present Parliamentary timetable, they will consider extending the date by which they had asked for comments on the Layfield Report (Cmnd 6453) from 30th November 1976, to 31st January 1977, so that an opportunity for debate may possibly be afforded to both Houses of Parliament.
§ Baroness BIRKI shall be happy to participate in a debate whenever the House wishes. I do not think the time limit for outside comment on the report would be relevant to the timing of such a debate and my right honourable friend has no plans to extend the period of consultation.