§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD FINLAY)My Lords, I need saw very little in asking you to give this Bill a Second Reading. The Army Act comes to an end with this month, and it is necessary that it should be kept in force for the year which begins on the first of next month. This Bill keeps the Army Act in force, and also proposes a certain number of Amendments. Those Amendments are set out very clearly on the face of the Bill, and no purpose would be gained by going through them now, although I am quite prepared to do so if any of your Lordships should so desire. They will, of course, be considered in Committee. I will only add that as the matter is one of extreme urgency I give notice that in the event of your Lordships giving a Second Reading to the measure to-day I shall to-morrow move that Standing Order No. XXXIX be considered with a view to its being suspended in respect of the remaining stages of this Bill.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House tomorrow.