BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 14 December 1908)

§ * THE EARL OF CREWE

My Lords, we propose to take as the first Order to-morrow the Second Reading of the Coal Mines (Eight Hours) Bill, and I intend, although there are other Motions on the Paper, to move the suspension of the Standing Order with a view to that Bill being taken first. It is impossible to say how long the House may wish to debate the Second Reading, but we shall leave on the Paper the Committee stage of the Prevention of Crime Bill and also the Third Reading of the Scottish Education Bill, which I should think is likely to pas without any debate. On Wednesday 1209 Lord Willoughby has a Question on the Paper on motors. It is a very short Question, and may receive a very brief Answer, but, of course, according to the agreeable practice of this House, it would be possible for noble Lords to raise a debate dealing with the whole question of motor legislation. I hope, however, that that will not be done. We should then desire to proceed with the Committee stage of the Port of London Bill, and, should that be concluded, to take the Commons' Amendments to the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Bill. On Thursday I hope my noble friend Lord Morley will be sufficiently recovered to be in his place and make the statement on the subject of India which he has unfortunately been obliged to defer. As we hope that that will not be followed by any very lengthy debate, we propose to proceed either with the Committee stage of the Port of London Bill, should that not have been concluded, or with the other business down for Wednesday. But should the rest of the business down for Wednesday have been cleared off the Paper, we should ask your Lordships to take the Committee stage of the Coal Mines (Eight Hours) Bill. It is, I think, perfectly evident at any rate that we shall have to sit on Friday, but beyond that I will not at this moment venture to prophesy.