§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (The DUKE of DEVONSHIRE)My lords, it was intended, and I think it was announced by the noble Lord at the head of the Government, that the House should at its rising to-day adjourn to the 21st April. I understand, however, that, for financial reasons, with which I am entirely unacquainted, and 259 will not attempt to explain, it would be a matter of very great convenience that the Naval Works Bill, which will probably pass through the House of Commons on Monday next and cannot before, should become law before the end of the financial year. I cannot ascertain that this is a matter of absolute necessity, although I am assured by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty that it would be a matter of the very greatest convenience. Looking to the importance of this question, I should not, in the circumstances, ask the House to suspend the Standing Orders or to alter the arrangements previously intended to be made if there is any disposition on the part of any noble Lord to discuss this matter, which undoubtedly this House has an absolute right to do. In the event, however, of there being no such desire on the part of noble Lords, and especially of noble Lords opposite, and in view of the great convenience to the public service that I am assured the course I am about to propose would be, I would, in the absence of any indication of a desire on the part of the House to take a contrary course, move that the House at its rising to-day do adjourn until half-past ten on Tuesday morning.
§ THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREYes.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYThen, my Lords, I have no desire to throw any obstacle in the way of the Government. I am sorry there should not be an opportunity of making any remarks on this Bill, but as far as I am concerned and my noble Friends near me, we do not desire to offer any obstruction to the course the noble Duke desires should be pursued.
§ Motion agreed to.