§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTON)In moving the adjournment, perhaps I had better make a statement as to the business for the beginning of next week. The arrangement which I had contemplated for this afternoon, under which we had hoped at about the period of half-past five to take the Second Reading of the Ways and Communication Bill, broke down, and we are now confronted with the necessity of taking that Bill on Monday, instead of to-day. The first Order on that day is the Report Stage of the Forestry Bill. I should propose therefore, if, as I understand, it can be done with due regard to judicial business to meet at three o'clock 797 on Monday in order to finish the Report stage of that Bill. I am told that it is not likely to occupy much more than an hour. We shall then be free to proceed with the Second Reading of the Ways and Communications Bill.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYNo, there is the Enabling Bill.
§ EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTONOh yes. The Third Reading of the Enabling Bill will then be taken, but will not occupy, I understand, a great deal of time.
§ EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTONThen we will take the Second Reading of the Ways and Communications Bill, which will be moved by my noble friend Lord Lytton. There are down upon the Paper two Motions to be moved at that stage, but I am told that the noble Lord, Lord Montagu, is not going to move his Motion, which stands first, but is going to second the;Motion of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Buckmaster, which is at present second on the Paper. I presume, therefore, that they will follow my noble friend Lord Lytton. I would propose on Monday to sit after dinner in order to carry the discussion on the Second Reading as far as we can, but whether we shall be able to get the Second Reading on that evening I do know. That will rest with the House to determine. I should like to do so, if we can.
If we cannot do that, then we must continue the debate on Tuesday, when I should hope to get the Second Reading at an early hour. We have another Bill on that day in the name of the Lord Chancellor, the Acquisition of Land Bill, which he would, as matters at present stand, move as the first Order of the Day. If a portion of the afternoon be required to complete the Second Reading stage of the Ways and Communications Bill, I should hope that between five and six o'clock that stage might be completed and that the House might be able to take the Bill which I have mentioned.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI am quite sure my noble friend will recognise that it was due to no fault of any noble Lord that the proceedings upon the Housing Bill took so long. The dis 798 cussion was necessarily long. Now the noble Earl says he proposes—and it is a very natural proposal—to take the Ways and Communications Bill as the third Order on Monday. I do not know that the Forestry Bill will take long, and I have no comments to make upon that part of my noble friend's speech, but I would call attention to the fact that the Ways and Communications Bill is, without compare, far the most important measure which has been submitted to Parliament during this Session. It is a Bill of simply capital importance, involving interests of vast magnitude, establishing precedents absolutely novel and, whatever may be said for the Bill—I have no doubt we shall hear a most admirable speech from my noble friend Lord Lytton—it is a matter of very great difficulty, and of great concern to all those who are interested in the transport system of this country.
In these circumstances, to suggest that we could probably finish the Bill on that day, is I suspect, absolutely illusory. I do not think that the House will be willing to do so. It may be so, but I should think it is most unlikely. Indeed, I really think that to press forward these Bills is what I am sure my noble friend upon reflection will see that the Howe is very unlikely to accept. I should have thought that we ought to take the Ways and Communications Bill, which will be the principal business on Monday, to carry it on to the usual hour when we adjourn before dinner, and to finish it on a subsequent day. I doubt whether the House will be willing to take another course. I have made it my business to find out what other noble Lords think, and that is my belief, and what I think my noble friend will find. The Land Acquisition Bill is also a Bill of great importance, and the idea that they can be crammed into two days is, I think, a delusion.
§ EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTONMy Lords, I have endeavoured in the arrangements that I have submitted to the Howe, to follow the general scheme of action which has often been advocated by the noble Marquess. Beyond all others he has pleaded for early sittings, for constant sittings, for frequent sittings, even for after-dinner sittings; yet when I endeavour to arrange the business of the House to accommodate him he is perfectly willing to meet us up to the dinner-hour, but the moment I suggest—on a matter which is, 799 as he has argued, of the first importance—that your Lordships should show your interest in it by returning after dinner, I come up against the noble Marquess and meet with his disapproval. I have been, if I may say so, very considerate in my general treatment of your Lordships' convenience in the arrangement of Government business. It may very well be that we shall not succeed in getting the Second Reading of the Bill on Monday evening. I myself said that it rested with the House to determine that point. But I shall suggest to your Lordships—and I hope you will be willing, in view of the great urgency attaching to it—to sit after dinner on Monday.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYWe will consider it, but I can enter into no pledge.
§ EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTONI do not ask the noble Marquess to do that. Before I sit down there is a certain matter which for the convenience of your Lordships I may, perhaps, be allowed to mention; it relates to the visit to the Fleet on Monday next. This announcement will appear in the newspapers to-morrow morning, but it may be for the convenience of those who are here that I should make it to night. It is as follows—that, as a result 800 of representations, arrangements have been made whereby an additional ticket, available for a lady, mar be obtained by every member of the House of Lords wishing to be present on the occasion of the Parliamentary visit to the Fleet on Monday. Application should be made personally, or by messenger, to the Lord Chancellor's Secretary to-morrow.