Business of the House

– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 2 Rhagfyr 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Anthony Eden Mr Anthony Eden , Warwick and Leamington 12:00, 2 Rhagfyr 1947

May I ask the Leader of the House if he has any changes to announce in the Business for tomorrow?

Photo of Mr Herbert Morrison Mr Herbert Morrison , Lewisham East

Yes, Sir. We hope that it will be possible to conclude the Committee stage of the Finance Bill at an early hour tomorrow, Wednesday. Afterwards, we shall ask the House to take the Second Reading of the Ministers of the Crown (Treasury Secretaries) Bill, and, as a matter of urgency, to take the Committee and remaining stages on the same day. The Bill will require a Money Resolution, and, in order that that may be dealt with at the same time, it will be necessary to move a Special Procedure Motion. There are precedents for this. The Government ask the House to treat the Bill as a matter of urgency in order that another Secretary to the Treasury may be appointed to assist my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer with the economic side of his work. The Bill is being presented today, and copies will be made available in the Vote Office later this afternoon. There are also a number of Electricity and Gas (Special) Orders on the Paper for consideration tomorrow, as well as a Prayer in the name of the right hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. C. Davies) relating to the Registration for Employment Order.

Photo of Mr Anthony Eden Mr Anthony Eden , Warwick and Leamington

With regard to the Bill to which the right hon. Gentleman has just referred, I realise, of course, the conditions in which the Government ask for this exceptional speed, but I should like to have an assurance from the Govern- ment that we are not to regard this as a precedent, because I think the House generally is always most reluctant to pass all stages of a Measure in one day.

Photo of Mr Herbert Morrison Mr Herbert Morrison , Lewisham East

Certainly. I appreciate the reasonable attitude which the right hon. Gentleman has adopted. This is very exceptional, and certainly I would not argue that this should be a precedent. This procedure is to be engaged in only in special circumstances and in exceptional cases.