HL Deb 13 August 1919 vol 36 cc871-2
THE EARL OF CRAWFORD

My Lords, I suggest that the Second Reading of the Ch arch (Temporalities) Bill should be taken to-morrow; also that, if we receive in time the Commons Amendments on the Transport Bill, they should be taken as second Order. I am not sure that we shall get the report of the Commons Amendments in time to deal with them to-morrow, but I hope we shall; and I trust that there will be nothing in them to involve very long consideration on your Lordships' part. I further suggest that we should take the Committee stage of the Welsh Church (Temporalities) Bill on Friday. I am in some difficulty as to what time to ask your Lordships to meet on Friday. A considerable number of Peers have asked for 12 o'clock noon; others have asked for the normal time of 3 o'clock. My own inclination is mid-day. If that conforms with the general view of your Lordships present, I will take upon myself the responsibility of settling mid-day.

NOBLE LORDS

Hear, hear.

THE EARL OF CRAWFORD

This appears to be your Lordships' wish, so we will meet at 12 o'clock on Friday, and at 3 o'clock to-morrow.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I do not dissent, of course, from the arrangement which the noble Earl has made—

THE EARL OF CRAWFORD

About Friday?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

Yes. The noble Earl knows what an outrage it is on Parliamentary procedure that we should have to deal with Bills of the greatest importance and involving considerations which have agitated the country for Years, with hardly any one present on a Friday in the middle of August. The noble Earl, of course, does not mind any of my protests; I am aware of that; but I cannot be responsible for any consequences that may ensue. It does not in the least follow that we shall be able to agree with everything that the Government suggest.

THE EARL OF CRAWFORD

I hope I never indicated that Lord Salisbury was expected by me to agree with everything the Government suggested.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

No. It was only that I did not wish it to be thought that everything could be hustled through at the last moment without objection, simply because it meets the convenience of the Government and because of their mismanagement of the business of the country in bringing things on so late. I wanted that to be quite clear, lest it should be thought afterwards that there was some breach of faith.