HL Deb 27 January 1902 vol 101 cc944-6
EARL SPENCER

, who had on the Paper the following question:— To ask His Majesty's Government whether they propose at the earliest opportunity open to them this session, to introduce a measure adding to the Factories Bill of last session a provision in regard to laundries— said: My Lords, I think it is better—late as it is—that I should just ask the Question I put down, and I shall put it without any speech at all. I need not refer to what passed in the House when the Bill of last session was in Committee; it is no doubt familiar to most of your Lordships, though I do not think the noble Marquess at the head of the Government was in the House at the time.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I never heard of it.

EARL SPENCER

The noble and learned Lord behind him (Lord James of Hereford) in answer to the most rev. Primate said that His Majesty's Government would, at the earliest opportunity open to them, introduce a clause to this effect.* I am bound also to say that the noble and learned Lord did not pledge himself to the present session, but I sincerely trust that the noble Marquess will encourage those who feel very earnestly on this subject, and will tell us that His Majesty's Government will introduce a measure this session.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

Nobody will differ from the noble Earl that the earliest possible consideration should be given to a subject of such great importance as this, but I always think that there is rather a tendency in noble Lords opposite to try to induce us to say how much work the House of Commons will or will not be able to do. The solution of a proplem of that character I must say I entirely give up. I do not know what the House of Commons will be prepared to undertake or what it will not. Obviously, our power of considering a matter so contested as that of the regulation of laundries depends entirely on the manner in which business goes on in the other House. I hope sincerely that it may be possible for us to examine into the question and to agree upon such a remedy as we may think suitable; but I am quite unable to give the noble and learned Lord a promise—because it amounts to that—which would depend on the time which the House of Commons would be able to find to devote to the subject.

LORD TWEEDMOUTH

There is another way. We are now adjourning from week to week. Perhaps some of the spare time of the House of Lords might be utilised to deal with this matter here first of all, and then let it *See (4) Debates, xcix., 867. take its chance in the House of Commons afterwards.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

That is not a very prudent way of getting through business. I have found that if the House of Lords has first dealt with a measure the House of Commons will look very scrupulously at the provisions of that measure; and, I think, therefore, as a matter of mere prudence, I should recommend the noble Lord not to take that course of action.