THE EARL OF ROSEBERYMy Lords, Before the House proceeds to the consideration of the business on the Paper—and that I trust will, in the circumstances, only be the non-contentious public business on the Paper—I desire to make a very brief statement, which the House no doubt will anticipate. After the vote in the House of Commons on Friday night, which was practically a Vote of Censure on the Secretary of State for War and on the Department over which he presides, on the question of National Defence, immediately after he had laid before the House, or adumbrated to the House, a great scheme of military reorganisation, the Government have felt it their duty to place their resignations in the hands of the Queen. Those resignations have been accepted, and the Government consequently only hold Office until their successors are appointed.
§ THE EARL OF CRANBROOK,in the absence of the Marquess of Salisbury, said: I understand my noble Friend, Lord Salisbury, will wish the House to adjourn until to-morrow. In that case I presume that to-morrow only non-contentious business will be taken, but if there is any public business which the Government think ought to be proceeded with there will be no objection to that.
THE EARL OF ROSEBERYI take it that will be the course, in accordance with precedent. There is one important Bill which, I think, is non-contentious—the Behring Sea Fisheries Bill, which is coming up from the House of Commons, and may possibly go through all its stages there to-night.