§ 2.40 p.m.
§ EARL FORTESCUEMy Lords, we are faced with a formidable volume of Amendments to the Mines and Quarries Bill in Committee this afternoon and on Thursday, but as the majority of them are either the result of agreement between the Parties in the course of debate in another place or are drafting or consequential Amendments, I hope we shall not find them too burdensome. It is understood there is a good deal of controversy in regard to Amendment No. 305 and that there are a number of noble Lords who wish to speak on it and who cannot be here on Thursday. It is hoped, therefore, that those noble Lords will be able to speak to-day, and that others who can be here on Thursday will speak to the Amendment on Thursday. We are prepared to sit until eight o'clock to-night in order to let those noble Lords speak. If necessary, we shall be prepared to sit late on Thursday, but we hope we may be able to complete the Committee stage by 7.30 o'clock on that day.