§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I think that probably it would be for the convenience of your Lordships if I asked my noble friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he proposes that there should be a meeting of your Lordships' House on Monday, and, if so, whether he is able to anticipate any other meeting of your Lordships' House before the recess.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (THE EARL OF CRAWFORD)My Lords, in the first place my noble friend the Leader of the House is not in a position to make any statement about foreign affairs; otherwise, he would have been here to do so. The House will be aware that the Lords Amendments to the Mining Industry Bill were not dealt with in the House of Commons yesterday, and I understand they will be taken on an early Order on Monday next. I accordingly suggest that your Lordships should meet on Monday at a quarter past four o'clock. If, as I hope, the Amendments made by this House do not prove controversial we might expect the Bill to come back to us pretty quickly, and I suggest that, provisionally at any rate, the Royal Commission should be held at five o'clock, or soon after, on Monday. As regards sittings after Monday it is clearly impossible for me at the present moment to make any announcement. I can only express the hope, which I am sure will be shared by your Lordships on general as well as personal grounds, that there will be no cause for either House to sit after Monday next. Beyond that I am afraid I must leave the matter somewhat vague.