THE MARQUESS OF CREWEThe noble Earl the Deputy Leader of the House has been good enough to tell me that he can give us some information about the arrangement of business which, I am sure, will interest your Lordships.
THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (THE EARL OF CRAWFORD)My Lords, the information does not go very far. Last week I expressed the hope that we might conclude all stages of the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Bill to-night. The importance of the Amendments inserted during the Committee stage, however, and the scale and range of the Amendments which are to be discussed to-day, obviously make any expectation of that kind impossible of fulfilment. I would, therefore, suggest that after the Committee stage of the Licensing Bill on Friday next we proceed with the concluding stage of the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Bill. My noble friend, Lord Peel, tells me that he does not anticipate the Committee stage of the Licensing Bill will take very long, and I should be glad of an opportunity of consulting your Lordships later on to-day as to whether you would desire the House to meet earlier on Friday or at our normal time in the afternoon.
THE MARQUESS OF CREWEMay I ask whether that means that the noble Earl does not propose to enter on the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Bill at all to-day?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy noble friend did not mention the Railways Bill. I understand it is in contemplation to take the Second Reading to-morrow.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYWith regard to the Committee stage friends have intimated to me that there ought to hp an interva1 of several days between the two. It is a very complicated matter. I do not want to raise any difficulty about taking the Second Reading to-morrow although that is a very strong step, considering the importance of the Bill but there might lie matters.—not polemical matters, but matters of importance—to be raised in Committee. The suggestion has been made to me that the Bill ought not to be lint down, ale any rate, before Wednc6day of next week.
THE EARL OF CRAWFORDWe certainly propose to ask your Lordships to give a Second Reading to the Bill to-morrow. The Bill is in the House already. I should very much regret if we had to put off the Committee stage until Wednesday. I had hoped we might begin it on Monday.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYThat is impossible.
THE EARL OF CRAWFORDA number of Peers whom I consulted, and who are interested in the Bill, are axon; to have it on Monday.
THE EARL OF CRAWFORDThere is a division of opinion; your Lordships must not think that, everybody wants it postponed after Monday. A number of Peers have asked me to put down the Committee stage for that day; but I think probably the best thing is to watch the course of the debate to-morrow and we shall then see whether Monday is an acceptable day to your Lordships as a whole. I would renew the expression of a hope that we may begin the Committee stage on Monday, though I will not press it unless your Lordships agree.
THE MARQUESS OF CREWEI cannot help thinking that Monday is rather soon, considering the extreme complexity of the Bill, and I hope that the noble Earl perhaps without coming to a. decision at this moment will bear in mind that there is a strong feeling, which my noble friend. Lord Salisbury, tells me hats been pressed 370 by a good many of his friends, that Monday is very soon, especially as the Second Beading is going to be taken at very short, notice. Perhaps the noble Earl as he is in a communicative mood, might be able to make some further forecast regarding the. Safeguarding of Industries I under-stand that I he consideration of the Bill will be consideration on Friday in another place, and do not know whether the noble Earl has contemplated when the Second night be talon here.
THE EARL OF CARWFORDI hope to-morrow to be able to express a view about that point. I will, of course, bear in mind Mint Lord Crewe says, buten reranche, will he hoar in mind what I said about Ho, desire of other Peers to proceed with the Committee stage On Monday.