§ House in Committee (according to order).
§ THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLANDmoved to leave out the Preamble of the Bill, which he explained had got in by mistake.
§ Moved, "To leave out the Preamble."—(The Duke of Northumberland.)
§ On Question, Preamble omitted.
§ Bill re-committed to the Standing Committee; and to be printed as amended. (No. 117.)
§ THE MARQUESS OF RIPONI should like to ask the noble Marquess what are the intentions of His Majesty's Government with regard to this Bill. I am not opposed to the Bill personally. We understood that it was to be allowed to be read a second time, but was to go no further. It has now passed through Committee. I do not object, but it seems to me to be inconsistent with the statement made by the Foreign Secretary when the Bill was read a second time, and I should like, therefore, to have some information as to what is the intention of the Government with regard to the future course of the Bill.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy statement the other evening had no reference to the passage of the Bill through your Lordships' House. I expressed the opinion, to which I adhere, that the Bill stands no chance whatever of becoming law during the present session of Parliament. That was what I ventured to indicate.
§ THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLANDI certainly understood what has just been stated by the noble Marquess, that this Bill could not become law this session; but I did not understand that I was not to proceed with any further stage in this House.