§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, before we proceed to public business perhaps your Lordships will allow me to ask my noble friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can state what arrangements the Government propose for next week, or the early part of it.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (THE EARL OF CRAWFORD)My Lords, I expressed the hope yesterday that we might secure the Third Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill on Monday, but representations have been made to me which, I regret to say, have dispelled that expectation. I fear, therefore, that the Third Reading will have to be postponed till the following day, Tuesday the 14th. I had hoped that we should begin the Committee stage of the Agriculture Bill on that day, but if the Third Reading of the Home Rule Bill is postponed until Tuesday and takes some little time I am afraid that we shall not be able to take the Agriculture Bill on that day, and will have to begin it accordingly the next day, Wednesday 2 the 15th. Should that be so, I suggest that the latter part of Tuesday's sitting should be devoted to the Second Reading of the Ministry of Health Bill, which I understand passed through the House of Commons last night, and to clearing up any outstanding Orders and Questions which may be on the Paper. It is clear to me that we shall have to sit on Friday the 17th, either to conclude the Committee stage of the Agriculture Bill, or possibly to deal with the Commons Amendments to the Lords Amendments on the Home Rule Bill, if the House of Commons will have had sufficient time to deal with them in that interval. But for the moment I cannot say anything about to-morrow week, except that it appears to be almost inevitable that your Lordships will have to meet on that day.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I am much obliged to my noble friend for his statement. The proposals that he makes, as far at any rate as the beginning of next week is concerned, seem to be entirely suitable. As regards Friday the 17th, it is a little early to say anything, but I agree that your Lordships ought to be prepared to sit on that day if it is required. Whether it will be possible to deal with the Commons Amendments to the Lords Amendments to the Home Rule Bill by then, I cannot say. I am afraid it is asking too much of us to see so far ahead as that.
THE EARL OF CRAWFORDI quite agree that it is too far ahead to foresee, especially as we do not know on what day the House of Commons will be able to deal with the Government of Ireland Bill; but I may remind your Lordships that there will be a Committee stage of the Ministry of Health Bill, which also might be suitable for the Friday.