§ THE EARL OF REDESDALE (CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES)said, that seeing the manner in which Public Business was going on in the other House, as evidenced by the speech of the Prime Minister "elsewhere," and thinking that some measures which the Government were anxious to pass would not come up to their Lordships' House in time to be properly considered, he wished to ask the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether some of those Bills which had been before the Grand Committees could not be brought before their Lordships' House at once, in order that they might have some attention given to them—he referred to the Bankruptcy Bill, the Court of Criminal Appeal Bill, and the Patents Bill? If it was possible to do as he suggested, a great deal of time would be saved; the measures would be more fairly considered, and both Houses would be kept employed. If the noble Earl preferred it, he would give Notice that, that day week, he would ask him whether there was any intention on the part of the Government that those Bills which had passed through the Grand Committees should be introduced into their Lordships' House at once? The Bills referred to had already received the sanction of an important Committee of the other House, and they would go down to the other House with an additional weight if they had also the approval of their Lordships.
§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, he was much obliged to his noble Friend (the 920 Earl of Redesdale) for giving him timely Notice of his Question, and he would confer with his Colleagues to see whether anything could be done, though he did not see how Bills which were passing through the other House could be brought before their Lordships at present. He should, therefore, like to know whether the noble Earl meant to withdraw the Bills from the Lower House in order to introduce them into their Lordships' House?
§ THE EARL OF REDESDALE (CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES)said, he did not propose to withdraw them from the other House. They were Bills which had passed a most important Committee; but they would, of course, be introduced into their Lordships' House as new Bills.
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONsaid, that, no doubt, it would be a great advantage if it could be done; but he must confess that he could not see how his noble Friend's (the Earl of Redesdale's) suggestion could be complied with. Did his noble Friend propose that these Bills should be introduced into their Lordships' House as they had left the Grand Committees?
§ THE EARL OF REDESDALE (CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES)The Government should introduce the Bills in this House.
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONBut the Bills might be very much altered by the House of Commons on Report, after they had come from the Committees; and, in that case, their Lordships would have to consider the same Bills twice. Therefore, he was afraid the proposal was not one likely to meet the object his noble Friend had in view.