HL Deb 21 July 1908 vol 192 cc1634-6

Moved, "That the order made on the 25th day of March last, 'That no Provisional Order Confirmation Bill brought from the House of Commons shall be read a second time after the 18th day of June next,' be dispensed with, and that the Bills be now read 2a—(Earl Carrington.)

LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH

My Lords, I notice that three Members of the Government have precisely similar Motions on the Paper, and while I have no desire to be unfair, I think the House should be given some explanation why it is proposed to dispense with the Sessional Order. The understanding hitherto has always been that when this indulgence is asked of the House, some explanation should be given of the particular circumstances which render it necessary. I do not know anything of the circumstances in this case and do not desire to oppose the Motion, but I should be sorry if the suspension of Sessional Orders became a mere matter of form.

*THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (The Earl of ONSLOW)

My Lords, perhaps I may say a word generally on the Motions standing on the Paper. In each case I have had the advantage of seeing the reasons why it was desirable that this Sessional Order should be dispensed with, and I am bound to say that the reasons put forward have commended themselves to me. In several cases the reason is that in another place these Bills I have not been considered at that period of the session when I think they ought to have been considered. The Government Departments concerned are, therefore, face to face with the alternative of losing their Bills altogether, or of asking your Lordships to dispense with the Sessional Order, so that the difficulties which have arisen in another place may be overcome.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (Earl CARRINGTON)

I presume the noble Lord is satisfied with that explanation?

LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH

Yes. But I think the explanation ought to have been made by the Member of the Government moving the motion and not left to be extracted from the Lord Chairman.

On Question, Motion agreed to, and Bills read 2a accordingly and committed.