§ 4.43 p.m.
§ LORD SNELLMy Lords, I beg to ask the noble and learned Viscount, the Leader of the House, whom I should like, on behalf of my noble friends most heartily to congratulate on his new position, if he can give the House any information respecting business.
§ VISCOUNT CALDECOTEMy Lords, it is proposed that the House should meet to-morrow and Thursday when, as your Lordships will have observed, there are Motions on the Paper, but perhaps I may take this opportunity of saying that there are two Bills which His Majesty's Government are anxious to secure as soon as possible. One is the Treachery Bill, which has been already printed and circulated in another place. I am proposing to make arrangements for the circulation of copies of this Bill, in order that your Lordships may have as full an opportunity as possible of considering its provisions, and to attach to it a slip saying that your Lordships will be asked to pass this measure through all its stages on Thursday, assuming that it has passed its stages in another place to-morrow.
The other Bill which I may be allowed to mention is a Bill to amend the National Service (Armed Forces) Act. This is in connection with the formation of the Local Defence Volunteer Force. The Bill will only be introduced in another place to-morrow, but as soon as a copy is available I would propose that it should be printed and circulated to your Lordships for the same purpose of receiving your Lordships' consideration and securing its passage on Thursday through all its stages. I am a little reluctant to make these demands upon your Lordships for exceptional forbearance on the first occasion upon which I have the honour to appear in my present capacity. Perhaps I may be allowed to assure your Lordships of my earnest desire at all times to give the fullest consideration to the rights of your Lordships, and to see that your Lordships have the fullest opportunities of considering those measures which will be brought before you for consideration. May I add a personal word of thanks to my noble friend opposite for his kind words?
§ House adjourned at fourteen minutes before five o'clock.