HL Deb 30 July 1918 vol 31 cc102-3

LORD SYDENHAM had the following Notice on the Paper—

To draw attention to the Report of the Viceroy and the Secretary of State on Indian Reforms; and to move for Papers.

The noble Lord said: My Lords, my Motion deals with matters which are vital to the interests of the people of India, and also vital to our own people, if they only knew. At, this late hour I feel that I cannot do justice to them, and unless this important question can be dealt with as it deserves I think it would be better not to deal with it at all. I therefore ask the permission of your Lordships' House to postpone my Motion.

THE MARQUESS OF CREWE

May I venture to ask the Leader of your Lordships' House a question arising out of what has fallen from the noble Lord on the Cross-Benches, although probably the noble Earl will not be able to deal with it at the moment. This Motion, as the noble Lord said, is one of the first importance, and I do not know whether the noble Earl the Leader of the House is able now to tell us if and when there is any possibility of its being taken, in view of the long list of business before us to which reference was made the other evening.

EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTON

My Lords, I should not like to give a definite reply on the spur of the moment, because the only date available for Motions of this sort is Wednesday, August 7, on which day Lord Beauchamp has put down a Question of some importance, and he would have priority. Without disputing the wisdom of Lord Sydenham I am rather sorry that he has not persisted in his Motion this afternoon, because if we are to lay down the doctrine that a debate of first-class importance cannot be taken at half-past six I confess that the proceedings of this House are likely to be very sensibly curtailed in the future. I had been making arrangements this afternoon to secure, if possible, a good attendance after dinner to-night, with the hope that the debate inaugurated by my noble friend, commencing at 6.30, might have gone on till 11 o'clock, or to whatever period he and his friends thought desirable. I can only say, on my own behalf, that I have no responsibility in the matter, and express my regret that my noble friend has decided not to pursue his Motion this afternoon.

House adjourned during pleasure.

House resumed.