Lords Sitting of 3 March 1915

MULLINGAR AND KELLS RAILWAY BILL. [H.L.]
WORKSOP AND BAWTRY RAILWAY BILL.
The order of yesterday referring the Examiner's Certificates of non-compliance with the Standing Orders to the Standing Orders Committee on Tuesday next discharged.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROVISIONAL ORDER (No. 23) BILL.
The CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES informed the House that the opposition to the Bill was withdrawn: The Order made on the 10th of February last discharged, and Bill committed for To-morrow.
NEATH CANAL NAVIGATION BILL. [H.L.]
Committee to meet on Tuesday next.

THE BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY.
THE EARL OF DENBIGH: My Lords, I rise to ask His Majesty's Government whether the Royal Commission on Food Supply in Time of War has considered the advisability of encouraging the beet-sugar industry in the British Isles, and whether any Report has been presented in connection therewith; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government will lay that Report on the Table, or will state its general tenor.
THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD ISLINGTON): My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Lucas, who is unavoidably absent to-day, I have been asked to reply to the noble Earl's inquiry. The question of the encouragement of the beet-sugar industry in the United Kingdom was not considered by the Royal Commission on Food Supply in Time of War.
THE EARL OF DENBIGH: Has there been no Report issued by the Royal Commission?
LORD ISLINGTON: I understand that the particular question of the production of beet-sugar in this country was not considered by the Royal Commission, and therefore was not reported upon.
THE EARL OF DENBIGH: The other day when I raised this question the noble Lord who has just spoken made some remarks in reference to the Brussels Convention, and to the necessity of our giving six months notice if we wished to withdraw from the provisions of that Convention. May I ask whether the Government will be prepared to take into consideration the advisability of giving early notice with regard to our possible withdrawal from that Convention so as to have a free hand in reference to this question if it comes to anything practical?
LORD ISLINGTON: The noble Earl raises at rather short notice a question of policy of considerable importance, and I am not in a position to-day to give him an answer. If he desires to elicit information in regard to future policy in this connection, I would ask him to put a further Question on the Paper.

HOUSE OF LORDS REFRESHMENT ROOMS.
Moved to resolve, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and regulate the arrangements for the Refreshment Rooms in the Department of the Clerk of the Parliaments (The Viscount Hutchinson (E. Donoughmore)); agreed to: The Lords following were named of the Committee:

D. Rutland.

M. Lincolnshire.

E. St. Aldwyn.

V. Churchill.

L. Sanderson.

L. Desart (E. Desart).

L. Strachie.

L. Parmoor.

The Committee to meet on Tuesday next, at a quarter before Four o'clock, and to appoint their own Chairman.

BRITISH SHIPS (TRANSFER RESTRICTION) BILL.
Brought from the Commons; read 1a; to be printed; and to be read 2a on Tuesday next (The Lord Islington). (No. 33.)
NAVAL MEDICAL COMPASSIONATE FUND BILL.
Brought from the Commons; read 1a; be printed; and to be read 2a on Tuesday next (The Lord Emmott). (No. 34.)

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.
Standing Order No. XXXIX to be considered on Tuesday next in order to its being suspended for the remainder of the week.
THE MARQUESS OF CREWE: My Lords, I move that the House do adjourn, except for Judicial business, until Tuesday next, March 9.
Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.
House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before Five o'clock, till To-morrow, half-past Ten o'clock.