BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 30 March 1922)

§ Mr. S. WALSH
May I ask my right hon. Friend if he can indicate the course of business for next week, and if he can also inform the House whether any change is proposed in the order of business as set down upon the Order Paper?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
Yes, I am sorry to say that I have again to ask the indulgence of the House for a change in the business which stands upon the Order Paper for to-day. The Bound Table Conference at the Colonial Office is still proceeding, and, though caution is imposed upon everyone in dealing with the Irish question, I am not without hope that that Conference may lead to results materially conducive to peace. But it is not concluded yet, and it would certainly be inadvisable and practically impossible to proceed with the discussion of the Lords1 Amendments to the Irish Free State (Agreement) Bill pending the conclusion of the Conference. I would therefore ask to postpone the first Order until to-morrow, when the Amendments to that Bill will be taken as the first Order, and when my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary hopes to be in a position to make a full statement to the House of the results of the Conference.
In order that the Royal Assent may be given to the Bill to-morrow, I propose to put upon the Notice Paper a Motion to suspend the Four o'clock Rule in respect of any further proceeding that may arise, if there be a second Message from the 1556 House of Lords to this House, after we have considered and dealt with their first Amendments. It may be that both Houses may be agreed, and that no-further reference may be necessary; but, should the matter have to come back to us, we should desire to proceed with it, and complete it to-morrow if the hour of four o'clock had been reached.
As regards next week, we propose to take the Motion on the Genoa Conference on Monday.
On Tuesday, we shall move to get Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on the Civil Service and Revenue Departments Estimates.
On Wednesday, we shall take the East India Loans Bill, the Representation of the People (No. 2) Bill, the Juries Bill from the House of Lords, and other Orders on the Paper.
On Thursday, we shall take the Ministry of Labour Vote.
Friday is allotted to Private Members' Bills.
In the circumstances of the announcement that I have just made, I do not propose to move the suspension of the Eleven o'clock Rule to-night.

§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEY
If the Irish Conference, as we hope, come to a successful termination, will it not be necessary for the Government to move some Amendments to the Irish Free State (Agreement) Bill to-morrow. If that be so, could the right hon. Gentleman see his way to endeavour to get those Amendments printed and circulated in the papers to-morrow, so that hon. Members, before they come down to the House, may see them?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
I will communicate with my right hon. Friend (Mr. Churchill).

Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY
May I ask whether the Summer Time Bill is to be taken on Wednesday?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
I cannot say.

§ Lord HUGH CECIL
Will the Colonial Secretary's statement to-morrow be made on the Motion, "That the Lords' Amendments be now considered"?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
Yes, I think that will be the case.