§ LORD MUIR MACKENZIEMy Lords, in asking the noble Marquess opposite (Lord Salisbury) a Question of which I have given him private notice, may I remind your Lordships that after the debate last: week, when the Legitimacy Bill was read a second time the question arose as to the time for taking the Committee stage. There seemed to be general agreement that the Committee should, if possible, await the attendance of the Lord Chancellor. That would mean postponing the Kill till the Autumn Session. Would that course imperil the passing of the Bill—a Bill which passed both Houses on Second Beading without a Division, and was brought up to the House of Lords in very good time. The dilemma is serious. The noble Marquess was asked to say whether the Government would undertake that the Bill should not suffer by being relegated to the Autumn Session. He could not answer at the time, and I now beg to ask him whether he can give the House any information.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, I am obliged to my noble and learned friend for giving me the opportunity of making this statement. He has quite correctly recited what passed on the Second Reading of this Bill, and I have made it my business, in accordance with the pledge which I gave to your Lordships, to find out what facilities could he given for the discussion of this Bill in another place on the consideration of the Lords Amendments, supposing the further proceedings on this Bill were postponed until after the Recess. I am now glad that I am able to inform your Lordships that the Government consider that the request which was made upon the point by the noble and learned Viscount 926 opposite and other noble Lords is a perfectly reasonable one and that if the further stages of this Bill are postponed until after the Recess the Government will afford in the House of Commons reasonable opportunity for considering the Lords Amendments.
§ THE EARL OF BIRKENHEADMy Lords, I am sorry myself that the Bill should be postponed, but the consideration offered by the noble Marquess is, of course, a real one. It might have happened in the stress of business in the Autumn Session that time would not have been found for a discussion in the House of Commons and inasmuch as that assurance has been given I think that those who are supporting the Bill in this House would be well advised to accept it.
§ LORD MUIR MACKENZIEI am muer, obliged to the noble Marquess, and so far as I am concerned I readily accept what he proposes.