§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEBefore we adjourn I should like to ask what arrangements the Government propose in regard to the duration of the recess which begins to-morrow.
§ EARL CARRINGTONI have been asked by Lord Crewe to announce that the Government propose, subject to the approval of the House, to reassemble on Thursday, May 26; and that when the discussion of Lord Rosebery's Resolutions is completed we propose to proceed without delay with the Government's Resolutions.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEThe arrangement proposed, so far as I understand it, would be quite convenient to us on this side of the House; but I did not gather from the noble Earl whether it is in contemplation that we should sit on Friday, the 27th, as well as on Thursday, the 26th.
§ EARL CARRINGTONThat will be for the House to decide.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEThen may I suggest that as we are to sit on the Thursday it would be as well to sit on the Friday also, in order that your Lordships should not come back in that week for one sitting only.
§ LORD NEWTONI think the more convenient course would be for the House to meet on Monday, May 30, devote that week to Lord Rosebery's Resolutions, and for the Government to take the following week for their own Resolutions. What I foresee is that we shall be called back on Thursday, May 26, and asked to sit, perhaps, on the Friday and very likely 819 on the Monday considering Lord Rosebery's Resolutions, and then we have no assurance that any further business is to be proceeded with. I confess I have the sinister suspicion that the noble Earl opposite intends in defiance of the Nonconformist conscience to go to the Derby. Putting the Derby before the Veto would be regarded by some people as worse than putting the Budget before the Veto. At any rate, it would be quite possible for any noble Lord to attend the Derby, and win the Derby, and return in time to wreck the Constitution before dinner.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEI understand the noble Earl to say that it is in the contemplation of the Government, as soon as Lord Rosebery's Resolutions are dealt with, to proceed, without any delay, with their own Resolutions?
§ EARL CARRINGTONThat is so.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNECan the noble Earl say when the Government Resolutions will be put on the Paper?
§ EARL CARRINGTONI cannot say as to that.
THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWNIS there any chance of a Bill being introduced instead of Resolutions? I understand such a Bill is in preparation.
§ EARL CARRINGTONI must ask for notice of that question.
THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWNThere are limits to everything in this world. Have not the Government made up their minds whether they are going to proceed by Bill or Resolutions? I decline to give the noble Earl notice. We have done a great deal for him to-night in passing through all its stages a Bill which we have not even seen, and surely he can have the courtesy to do something for us.
§ LORD HENEAGEIt was stated in the House of Commons that the Parliament Bill would be printed and circulated either on Friday or Saturday.
§ EARL CARRINGTONI think that is the case.
§ EARL CAWDORIf it is possible in the House of Commons to make a definite statement as to when the Bill is to be in 820 print, is it too much for your Lordships to be given the same information? What we want to know is when the Bill is to be printed and published and when we are to see the Veto Resolutions.
§ EARL CARRINGTONI believe I am authorised to say that the Bill will be on view to-morrow.
§ EARL CARRINGTONI must ask my noble friend to understand that I am not Prime Minister. With all deference to him, I hope he will not push me too far.
§ House adjourned at half-past Seven o'clock, till To-morrow, Ten o'clock.