§ THE EARL OF DERBYwished to put a question to his noble Friend the Chairman of Committees (Lord Redesdale), with regard to the Resolution which he had moved last year, and which had been adopted by the House, fixing a particular day after which the House would not proceed to the consideration of any public Bill. He could quite understand his noble Friend's motives for refraining from bringing forward the same Motion this year, in consequence of the late period at which the present Session commenced, but he thought they had now reached a period of the Session when it would be very agreeable to noble Lords to know really how much more work they had to do. This was the 24th of July, and he did not think it unreasonable, therefore, to ask his noble Friend if, he was disposed now to move such a Resolution, which would, he hoped, in that case 334 be supported by Her Majesty's Government.
§ LORD REDESDALEsaid, it was quite true that for the reason stated by the noble Earl he had not thought it expedient, considering that the Session had commenced in May, to move a Resolution fixing a day beyond which the House would not read any public Bill a second time. At the same time, he must say, that what had occurred satisfied him more and more that, had such a restriction been imposed even in the present Session, public business would have been in a more advanced state in the other House of Parliament. He would, however, leave the matter entirely in their Lordships' hands: unless strongly urged, he should not take upon himself to move a Resolution to this effect, though it would, he believed, tend much to expedite business and be much more satisfactory to all their Lordships.
§ THE EARL OF MALMESBURYthought the subject was one which required the notice of Her Majesty's Government. It was, in fact, a most important subject; and therefore, though a great deal of power to deal with it lay in the hands of the House, he was of opinion that their Lordships had a right to look to the Government for some direction in the matter.
§ EARL GRANVILLEwas understood to say that the Government had been in communication with the noble Lord (Lord Redesdale) on the subject; and were of opinion that the noble Lord had acted very wisely in not attempting to limit the time at which they would receive Bills from the other House. He did not think that in the present state of business before Parliament it would be wise to pass such a Resolution.
§ THE EARL OF DERBYsaid, he should very much regret if their Lordships allowed this Session to pass over without adhering to the principle of fixing some day after which Bills coming from the other House could not be proceeded with, and he still hoped that Her Majesty's Government would take into consideration the fixing of such a day. The Government could easily ascertain how much business they intended to bring before Parliament. Unless they restrained to a certain extent the bringing in of new Bills, he should think, looking at the number of Bills before the House of Commons, that it would be necessary to prolong the Session till October.