HL Deb 07 March 1940 vol 115 cc805-6

5.10 p.m.

LORD SNELL

My Lords, I beg to ask the noble Earl the Leader of the House whether he can make any statement respecting the business of the House for next week and the week after.

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (EARL STANHOPE)

My Lords, perhaps I might go a little further than my noble friend has asked me to do. I propose that there should be a formal sitting of the House at eleven o' clock tomorrow to give a First Reading to the Rating and Valuation (Postponement of Valuations) Bill. On Tuesday, March 12th, we shall receive the Old Age Pensions Bill and read it a first time and take the Report stage of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous War Provisions) Bill, which passed through Committee to-day, and the Report stage of the Solicitors (Emergency Provisions) Bill, which your Lordships have also just passed through Committee. On that same day we shall have the Second Reading of the Rating and Valuation Bill. There are two Questions on the Paper, one by Lord Rea, which is already there, and one by Lord Fairfield, who has now put down a Motion concerning the steps proposed by the Minister of Transport to deal with loss of life and damage during the black-out. On Wednesday there is a Motion by Lord Leverhulme, which is already on the Paper, in regard to the Central Register. On Thursday there will be the Second Reading of the Old Age Pensions Bill, the Third Reading of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous War Provisions) Bill and the Third Reading of the Solicitors (Emergency Provisions) Bill.

I am afraid it will be necessary to ask your Lordships to sit on Friday, March 15, in order to take the Committee stage of the Rating and Valuation Bill. Then I propose to ask your Lordships to sit on the following Monday, March 18, when we hope to take the Committee stage of the Old Age Pensions Bill and the Report stage of the Rating and Valuation Bill. On Tuesday, March 19, if no Amendments are made to the Old Age Pensions Bill, we shall take the Report stage, and also the Third Reading of the Rating and Valuation Bill. On Wednesday there is a Motion by the noble Lord, Lord Snell, on colonial development policy, and it may be we shall have to take the Third Reading of the Old Age Pensions Bill; but perhaps, if no particular changes have been made, we may take the Report stage and the Third Reading of that Bill on the previous day so that it may go to another place that night. On Thursday, March 21, it will be necessary to take all stages of the Consolidated Fund Bill, and I understand Parliament will rise that day for the Easter Recess.

LORD SNELL

Can the noble Earl give any indication as to whether, before the House rises, there will be any further statements on international policy?

EARL STANHOPE

As far as I understand there will be none next week. I have not heard anything about the week following.

LORD SNELL

There might be?

EARL STANHOPE

I have not heard one way or the other.

VISCOUNT SAMUEL

May we take it that on Friday, March 15, there will be no other business except the Rating and Valuation Bill?

EARL STANHOPE

I propose we only take the Committee stage of that Bill.

House adjourned at thirteen minutes past five o'clock.