§ Order of the day for the consideration of Commons Amendments to the Lords Amendments read.
THE LORD CHANCELLORI ought to point out that owing to the short time which has elapsed since these Amendments reached my noble friend's hands, it is impossible for him to deal with them properly at the moment. And as I understand that the House is to adjourn shortly during pleasure, I suggest that the consideration of this Bill be proceeded with after the House has resumed, when we shall be able very soon to get through it.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEI understand that it would be a convenience to several Members of your Lordships' House if the debate on the Transvaal Loan Guarantee Bill were proceeded with.
THE EARL OF ONSLOWdid not know whether there was any material point in the Amendments to the Bill now before the House. He had looked through the Amendments which had been put down on a sheet of paper—naturally they were not on the Table—but he believed them to be merely verbal Amendments, to carry out certain transpositions rendered necessary by previous Amendments. But he would have thought that, the matter having been looked into by the officials of the House, the Amendments might be agreed to.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMay I suggest that the debate on the Transvaal Loan (Guarantee) Bill be taken now?
THE LORD CHANCELLORI would like that course to be adopted because I do not like putting to the House Amendments as to which no one 337 has the least idea what they are, or what they are not. This kind of difficulty always happens under circumstances such as the present, and it is nobody's fault in the least.
§ Consideration postponed.