§ Lord CarterMy Lords, after the first debate today my noble friend Lady Amos will, with the leave of the House, repeat a Statement that is to be made in another place on humanitarian assistance for Kosovo refugees.
§ Lord StrathclydeMy Lords, in the context of the Business statement that the noble Lord has just made, he will, of course, be aware that on Monday afternoon in the Statement on the European Summit commitments were given that we would have a Statement on the military situation in Kosovo before the Recess. The House will not know—although the noble Lord certainly does—that the Government have offered a Statement this evening to be taken at 10.30 p.m. In view of the fact that the House has been up until three o'clock in the morning for the past two days, the Opposition have decided not to accept that Statement. Apart from anything else, the business of the House would dictate that we would have to adjourn for some four or five hours, with all the attendant costs and problems that that would cause for the staff of the House.
Will the Government Chief Whip help us by offering to meet the commitment that was given on Monday afternoon by providing that the Minister for the Armed Forces in this House may come to the House between the debates today to give us a short address rather than a Statement about the military situation in Kosovo which would not necessarily cover the specific ground that is to be covered later in the evening by the Secretary of State? I am sure the House would welcome that way of dealing with the situation before the Recess. I hope that the noble Lord will consider that suggestion in a positive manner.
§ Lord Rodgers of Quarry BankMy Lords, from these Benches I add my support for the proposal made by the noble Lord, Lord Strathclyde. As the noble Lord said, it would not be possible for the Minister to repeat at 5.30 p.m. today a Statement to be made this evening. However, in the experience of your Lordships' House, the noble Lord, Lord Gilbert, has always been willing to address the House. As we move into the Recess there is deep concern about the exposed position of British service personnel involved in the campaign. It would be a small but acceptable gesture for the noble Lord. Lord Gilbert, to address the House at that time.
§ Lord CarterMy Lords, I am grateful to the two noble Lords for their comments. However, they have rather sprung this matter on me. The only Statement that I know about is, of course, the Commons' Statement to be made this evening. I am sure that the whole House is grateful to the Opposition parties for not asking for that Statement to be repeated late tonight. The Secretary of State will make a Statement this evening at 10 o'clock and it is therefore not possible to repeat that at four o'clock this afternoon, if noble Lords follow me. I shall make inquiries about the matter, but I am not sure that it will be possible to meet the noble Lords' request. I understand what the noble Lords are saying. As I say, I shall make 441 inquiries in this regard, but as the matter has been sprung on me it is rather hard for me now to give the answer that the noble Lords would like.
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, if the arrangements that the noble Lords have suggested cannot be achieved, will it be possible at least to have the Commons' Statement printed in the Lords' Hansard so that we shall know tomorrow what it said?
§ Lord CarterMy Lords, I shall inquire whether that is possible and, if it is, it shall be done.