§ EARL CAWDOR:My Lords, I understand that on Wednesday next, the day upon which I had given notice that I intend to call attention to the statement of the First Lord of the Admiralty explanatory of the Navy Estimates, it would not be con- 528 venient for the Leader of the House to be in his place. There appear to be only two other days in next week on which the question could be raised—Thursday, on which day it is intended that the House should adjourn over Eastertide, or Tuesday, which I am informed would be a more convenient day for some of your Lordships. If the noble Earl thinks Tuesday a suitable day for the purpose I will put down the Motion for that day.
§ THE EARL OF CREWE:I am extremely obliged to the noble Earl for meeting my convenience. I am exceedingly sorry that, owing to circumstances which I explained to the noble Earl, it is almost impossible for me to be in the House on Wednesday. I am entirely in the hands of the House as to whether Tuesday or Thursday should be chosen for the debate. As the noble Earl knows, it is contrary to the custom of the House to put back a Motion on the Paper to an earlier day than that appointed, but I do not know whether the difficulty could be overcome by the present Notice being taken off the Paper and another in slightly different terms being substituted. If that could be done, so far as I am concerned I should be quite prepared for the debate to be taken on Tuesday.
§ EARL CAWDOR:I will see whether it is possible to circumvent the difficulty which the noble Earl has suggested, and, if it is, I will put the Motion down for Tuesday next.
House adjourned at five minutes past Five o'clock, till To-morrow, half past Ten o'clock.