§ EARL SPENCERMy Lords, before the House adjourns, I should like to ask the noble Marquess what will be the arrangement of business for next week, particularly as to the discussion on Monday of the Motion of the noble Duke (the Duke of Devonshire). I also hope that the Agricultural Rating Bill, which has been read a first time this evening, will not be taken next week, as there will 565 probably be considerable discussion on the Second Reading. I would suggest that the Bill should be taken after the holidays.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I have made an appeal to Lord Muskerry to consider whether he could not postpone his Bill (Merchant Shipping (Aliens) Bill), which stands for Second Reading on Monday, until some other occasion, because I understand that the noble Duke on the cross benches (the Duke of Devonshire) desires to bring forward the extremely important Motion with regard to the Colonial Conference which stands in his name on the Order Paper. We feel the subject of that Motion to be so important that it should be given precedence over any other business. If, therefore, Lord Muskerry would consider the propriety of postponing his Bill I think that both sides of the House would be grateful to him. The further stage of the Agricultural Rating Bill will be taken after the holidays.
LORD MUSKERRYI am anxious to consult the wishes of your Lordships, but would suggest that I might be allowed to proceed with my Bill on Tuesday.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEThere is another reason why the Bill should be postponed until a later time, The noble Marquess who presides over the Board of Trade is still too unwell to attend the House.
LORD MUSKERRYUnder these circumstances I assent to the general wish of the House to postpone the Second Reading stage of my Bill.
§ House adjourned at Ten minutes before Six o'clock, to Monday next, a quarter before Eleven o'clock,