BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 16 December 1921)

§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS CURZON OF KEDLESTON)
My Lords, I propose, presently, to move, for reasons which have been publicly stated, that the House do adjourn until Monday next. I cannot make the Motion at this moment because we have to go through the stage of dispatching our Address to the Sovereign and receiving his reply. I, therefore, suggest that business be suspended during the next half-hour, or whatever may be the period required, and at the end of that time the Motion will be made that the House adjourn until Monday next at the usual time.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
May I ask hat business there will be on Monday?

§ THE MARQUESS CURZON OF KEDLESTON
The nature of the business of Monday will depend entirely on what happens in the interval. The reasons for moving the adjournment until Monday are, as your Lordships will conjecture, that we need to know what is happening at Dublin in the interval. So far as I know, if matters go well in Dublin, no business will be submitted to this House and we shall be able to prorogue. I cannot give a more definite answer at the moment.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
if things do not go well in Dublin, what does the noble Marquess suggest we shall do?

§ THE MARQUESS CURZON OF KEDLESTON
That will depend on the decision of the Government in relation to the news we receive.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
As I understand there will be no prorogation even then, the session will go on into the New Year. Or will Parliament be prorogued and a new session opened next January? May I also ask on what day we may expect Parliament to reassemble next year if, according to his view, things go well at Dublin?

§ THE MARQUESS CURZON OF KEDLESTON
The intention on Monday, if nothing happens in the interval, is to move the prorogation, and Parliament should meet again for the new session at the end of January. January 31 is, I think, the contemplated date.