§ Lord BALCARRESMay I ask the Prime Minister what business will be taken after eleven o'clock to-morrow night and possibly on Wednesday night? May I also ask a question, of which he has received notice, as to when the Motion of the Attorney-General relating to the case of the Whitechapel seat will be taken by the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWith regard to the first matter referred to by the Noble Lord, there is no business to be taken tomorrow at the time he mentions. With regard to the other matter to which he referred, the Motion, which, of course, has not been put down, what I have to say is this: We hope to put down a Motion to ask the House to adopt in substance the unanimous recommendation of the Select Committee, and when the terms of the Motion are put on the Paper, we hope they may be found to be such as the House may be ready to assent to some evening at the conclusion of ordinary Government business without anything in the nature of a prolonged debate.
§ Lord BALCARRESIn the event of the Government determining to take the Motion this week, in view of the fact that it unquestionably raised a very novel and perhaps far-reaching point, would he consider the propriety of putting it down for a time when it can be properly debated and properly reported?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI was not proposing to take it this week, because I think it quite fair that the terms of the Motion should be on the Paper some days beforehand.
§ Lord BALCARRESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Courts meet next week, and, assuming a week or ten days be necessary for the learned Attorney-General to instruct counsel through solicitors, it will be between nine and ten weeks since the appointment of the Committee before the hon. Baronet the Member for Whitechapel is notified as to whether he is a Member of this House or not?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAll these considerations were present to the Government.
§ Lord BALCARRESWhat will be the business on Friday?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Committee stage of the Established Church (Wales) Bill.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWill the Prime Minister, in considering the business for Friday, bear in mind that Clause 14 of the Welsh Church Bill comes on next for discussion, and that it is one of the most important and contentious Clauses in the Bill? Under these circumstances, and in view of the great desirability of that Clause receiving full discussion, would it not be more desirable to take the question of the Whitechapel seat on Friday?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think we should be at all justified in giving the whole of Friday to a discussion on that question, in view of the fact that the Select Committee have come to a unanimous recommendation. I do not see any reason why the Clause in question should not be considered on Friday.