BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.—THE RECESS. (Hansard, 22 July 1915)

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF CREWE)
My Lords, I stated yesterday that it was desirable, if the House agreed, that we should sit to-morrow to consider the Naval and Military War Pensions Bill. I therefore move that we adjourn until half-past three to-morrow.

§ THE EARL OF CROMER
My Lords, on the Motion for the adjournment I should like to take the opportunity of asking the noble Marquess who leads the House whether he can tell us anything as to when the House is likely to adjourn for a longer period, and for how long a period. It was the intention of my noble friend Lord St. Aldwyn to ask this Question, but he has been obliged to leave the House and has asked me to put it in his place. I do so because I entirely agree with the noble Earl that the House should not be adjourned for a long time. I understand that it has been announced in the newspapers that the other House will adjourn for six weeks. My noble friend thinks, and I agree with him, that that is too long a period; and although there is no definite business before us we consider that in the present circumstances it is desirable for the House to keep in touch with the Government so that any events which may occur can be discussed with deliberation.

THE MARQUESS OF CREWE
My Lords, I am unfortunately not in a position to give the noble Earl the information for which he asks either as to the precise date of the longer adjournment or as to the period for which we propose to adjourn, but I can assure him that the views which he has expressed as not only being his own but shared by so experienced a noble friend of ours as Lord St. Aldwyn and by other members of the House, that the adjournment should not be for too long a period, will have the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government, and I hope by an early date to be able to give my noble friend the information which he desires.