THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF CREWE)My Lords, it is possible that some noble Lords may have observed a statement which fell from the Prime Minister in another place yesterday with reference to the Munitions of War Bill. My right hon. friend expressed the opinion that the progress of that Bill through the House of Commons might he completed on Thursday, and he hoped therefore that it might be possible for it to pass through all its stages in this House at a Friday sitting. It is evident, of course, that its passage into law is an urgent matter. Nobody could dispute, I think, the propriety of the title of emergency measure as applied to it; and although we feel that it is a somewhat strong order to ask your Lordships to take a Bill of that importance through all its stages in one day, yet at the same time I hope it will be found, assuming that it 156 comes up on Thursday night from another place, that the House will be willing to take that course. It will be noticed that such opposition as has been taken elsewhere to any of the provisions of the Bill has been the work of a body who are in no respect represented here—namely, the Socialist wing of the Labour representatives in Parliament. I hope, therefore, that as the measure has received a warm welcome—of course an exceedingly warm welcome for its objects, but also, I think, quite a warm welcome for its methods—from all Parties in another place, your Lordships may be found willing to take the course which I have indicated. His Majesty's Government trust sincerely that you will be able to do so.
§ House adjourned at ten minutes before Five o'clock, till Tomorrow, a quarter past Four o'clock.