BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 14 July 1919)

§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTON)

My Lords, at the close of to-day's business, after we have dealt with the matters upon the Paper, the Ways and Communications Bill will be brought up from another place and a First Reading will be given to it here. To-morrow (Tuesday) we shall take the subjects which are down upon the Paper. On Wednesday there is a Question in the name of Earl Brassey about the coal industry, which I believe excites a good deal of interest and will give rise to a debate that will occupy the greater part, if not the whole, of the sitting. On Thursday we propose to take the Report stage of the Housing and Town Planning Bill. Notice has already been given from this Bench of the intention to move the suspension of Standing Order XXXIX in order to take both the Report stage and the Third Reading of that Bill on that day. I would further, with a view to what I am going to say presently, suggest that your Lordships should meet at three o'clock on Thursday afternoon in order to give ample time for the purposes that I am describing. Then, when we have finished those stages of the Bill, I would propose that at half-past five my noble friend Lord Lytton, who is in charge of the Ways and Communications Bill, should make his expository statement in moving the Second Reading of the Bill, to which, as I have said, your Lordships will have been asked to give a First Reading to-night. It would be unreasonable to ask the House to proceed with the discussion after the speech of Lord Lytton, which will occupy, I dare say, a considerable part of the latter end of the sitting; and I would then propose that the Second Reading be taken on Monday next, so that your Lordships will have had the interval between Thursday and Monday to render yourselves conversant with the Bill as explained by my noble friend. That I think, covers the business of this week and takes us on to Monday next.