BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 31 January 1918)

§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTON)
My Lords, I beg to make the Motion that is in my name upon the Paper—that Standing Order No. XXXIX be considered in order to its being suspended for this day's sitting. This Motion is moved solely with reference to two Bills which have already passed the Second Reading in your Lordships' House. They are the two Bills in charge of my noble friend Lord Peel—the Military Service Bill and the National Registration (Amendment) Bill—both of which are down for Committee stage this afternoon. I understand that in neither case is there any Amendment to be moved, and therefore we shall escape the Report stage. My noble friend represents to me that it is a matter of great public urgency to get these Bills on the Statute Book as soon as possible, and it is in order to facilitate that end that I ask your Lordships' consent to take the Third Reading as well as the Committee this afternoon. I believe that just now the noble Marquess, Lord Salisbury, asked a question about the Second Reading of the Irish Redistribution Bill. I think, my Lords, we had better put that Bill down for Second Reading on Monday next. It will then be before us at the same time as the Representation of the People Bill comes back from the House of Commons, and can be considered appropriately, I think, on the same day.

LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH
The noble Earl has mentioned two Bills of which I admit the urgency. Supposing we suspend the Standing Order and pass the Third Reading of both Bills to-day, does he contemplate a Royal Commission this week?

§ EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTON
No, my Lords; I am doubtful whether there can he a Royal Commission this week. It depends upon arrangements which have not yet been made, but my noble friend Lord Peel is anxious to get these Bills ready for the Royal Commission at the earliest moment.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
I understand that my noble friend desires the suspension of the Standing Order in respect to the Military Service Bill and the National Registration (Amendment) Bill. Speaking for myself only—I have no right to speak on any one else's behalf—I see no objection to the suspension of the Standing Order in respect of any Bill which is really of importance to the conduct of the war. That is strictly in line with all that your Lordships have done during the last three years. But it will be observed that the Non-ferrous Metal Industry Bill will be affected by the same proceeding. If my noble friend does not intend to use it in regard to that Bill, his assurance on that point, of course, is quite sufficient.

EARL CURZON or KEDLESTON
Yes.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
If the noble Earl means that he does not intend to ask your Lordships to avail yourselves of the suspension of the Standing Order in respect to that Bill, that is sufficient for us.

§ EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTON
I purposely excepted the Non-ferrous Metal Industry Bill, because I was told just before I came in that it was not unlikely that an Amendment might be moved in the Committee stage of that measure.

THE MARQUESS OF CREWE
I had intended to raise the same point as my noble friend. There are some Amendments on the Paper, and I understand that my noble friend below the gangway, Lord Bryce, has also an Amendment which is not on the Paper.

§ LORD MUIR MACKENZIE
May I say one word about this? It would be a great convenience if, whenever it is proposed that Standing Order No. XXXIX should be suspended, the Bills to which it is intended to apply the suspension were mentioned in the Notice. On this occasion there was some alarm created among those interested in the Bill which has been mentioned—the Non-ferrous Metal Industry Bill—by supposing that the general form in which the Notice was given would apply the suspension to that Bill.

§ EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTON
My Lords, I am sorry that any such apprehension should have been felt, but I think it would have been removed had the noble Lord seen the OFFICIAL REPORT which reached us all this morning of the proceedings of yesterday evening. My recollection is that my noble friend Lord Crawford, who was acting for me in my absence, at the close of the proceedings announced the intention of the Government to move the suspension of the Standing Order, and that he said specifically that it was for the purpose of the two Bills to which I have referred.

§ VISCOUNT BRYCE
Perhaps I may be permitted to say that the OFFICIAL REPORT of last night's proceedings was not delivered to the houses of some of us by 3 o'clock to-day.

§ EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTON
I am sorry to hear that.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
Perhaps on future occasions it would save misunderstanding if the Notice for the suspension of the Standing Order were given in the other form—namely, that the Order should be suspended in respect of certain named Bills instead of generally. That is a small point, however.

THE MARQUESS OF CREWE
My impression is that that course is sometimes followed.

§ LORD MUIR MACKENZIE
I notice that it has been observed on several occasions by the noble Earl himself, and it is only on this occasion that it has not been followed.