§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I should like to ask the noble Earl who leads the House whether he is in a position to tell us anything as to the arrangements for the conduct of business during the next few days.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Earl of CREWE)My Lords, we were in hopes that the Children Bill would have passed through its last stage in another place to-day. I understand there is still some hope that that may be the case. The debate seems to have been rather longer than was originally expected, and it is not quite certain whether the Bill will be able to pass its final stage in the other House to-day. If it should come up I would suggest that there should be a formal sitting of the House to-morrow, in order that it might be read a first time and be printed and distributed to your Lordships. In that case we could hope to take the Second Reading on Monday; but, if not, there appears to be no business that could be conveniently taken before next Tuesday, and in the event of the Children Bill not coming up I would suggest that we should not sit again for business until Tuesday, the 20th inst., on which day the 163 Nurses Registration Bill would be taken. I understand that there will be Motions or Bills upon the Paper for every day next week, and there are certain Bills in the hands of private Members which I would venture to suggest those in charge of them might be willing to put down for an early date. Those Bills are the Movable Dwellings Bill, the Local Authorities (Admission of the Press) Bill, and the Thrift and Credit Banks Bill, which, I understand, is waiting until certain negotiations have taken place between interested parties. That Bill, your Lordships will remember, was one which was brought forward by Lord Wenlock in the Summer Session, and upon which a considerable amount of discussion followed. There is also the Law of Distress (Amendment) Bill, which Lord Courtney has been asked to put down for an early day. I would venture also to suggest that noble Lords who desire to raise questions likely to lead to at all prolonged debate on any matters of public interest should, if they think fit to do so, put them down for an early date, because we had some experience in the summer of questions being raised and leading to very interesting discussions at a time when there was a considerable pressure of public business. So far as regards the Government's Bills, I hope that the Education (Scotland) Bill will reach us not later than the second week in November, and it is understood that the Licensing Bill will arrive here in the course of the week after that. I think that is as much information as I am in a position to give your Lordships at this moment.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEI do not think the noble Earl mentioned one Bill in which I know some Members of the House take great interest—the Bill for the Housing of the Working-classes in Ireland.
§ THE EARL OF CREWEI am obliged to the noble Marquess for reminding me. It is proposed that the Committee Stage of that Bill should be taken on Thursday of next week.
§ House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before Five o'clock, till To-morrow, a quarter past Four o'clock.