HL Deb 19 June 1906 vol 159 cc5-6
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUESS OF RIPON

My Lords, your Lordships no doubt observed that Lord Kinnaird, who had given notice yesterday to ask His Majesty's Government—

  1. 1. If they can explain to the House the cause of the repeated delays in presenting the Report of the Commission on Ecclesiastical Discipline to His Majesty the King, and why it has not been presented before Whitsuntide as promised in March in another place;
  2. 2. Would the Government endeavour to hasten this Report, as it would be of the greatest value during the Education debate.
  3. 3. Does not the prolonged delay involve the Government in considerable additional expense;
  4. 4. Could the Government also further the matter by recommending to the Commission the advisability of getting the volumes of evidence or some of them printed off and bound at once, so that there will be no printing delays after the Commission have made their report—
was not in his place to put the Questions. I have since received a letter from him stating the cause of his absence, and I think it would be only fair to the noble Lord to read his letter to your Lordships, as some Members of the House, at all events, complained a good deal of his not being in his place. Lord Kinnaird writes— I must apologise for not arriving in time to put my Questions this afternoon. I was unavoidably detained and hurried down to the House, bat found I was just too late. I was taking part in the jubilee meeting of a society of which I am treasurer. I thought I was safe if I arrived by ten minutes to five. I also got blocked in Bond Street. I understand from the noble Lord that he is going to put his Questions down for Friday next. I am glad that he proposes taking an early opportunity of doing so, as the Questions tend to reflect, I think unreasonably, upon a Royal Commission, and I do not think it is a matter which ought to be delayed.