CAB23-58 — Page 249

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The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury

stated that his Memorandum proceeded on the assump-

tion of a General Election in the summer If, s

stated by the Minister of Health, the Committee stage of the Rating Relief Bill could not be taken

until after Christmas, and if there could be only

financial legislation after Easter, then he

calculated that it would be necessary for Farlia-

rent to reassemble after Christmas on January 8th

to get through its business.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry

of Health stated that further consideration had

led to the view that the programme outlined by the

Minister of Health could be advanced several days.

It was now thought that the Rating Relief Bill

could be submitted to the Committee of Home Affairs

about October 25th, and, if approved by the end of

October, the First Reading could take place shortly

after the meeting of Parliament. If two weeks were

allowed for perusal, the Second Reading and the

Financial Resolution might be taken about November

26th. In this way the first part of the Bill would

be disposed of before Christmas and the other parts

of the Pill and the Schedule could follow after

Christmas. If three days were given to the Second

Reading, that should ease the Committee stage.

Portions of the Eill would follow closely the Report

Government

on which Local

of the Royal Commission on Local Authorities are represented. Similarly, portions of the Scottish Bill, e.g., those dealing with

block grants, followed the English Bill. The

substance of both Bills had been widely explained

in advance, and perhaps a week would suffice between

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