HL Deb 09 November 1921 vol 47 cc219-20

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (THE EARL OF CRAWFORD) (on behalf of the MARQUESS CURZON OF KEDLESTON) rose to move: "That Standing Order No. XXI be considered in order to its being suspended for this day's sitting, and that Government Business have precedence over other Notices and Orders of the Day."

The noble Earl said: My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in the name of the Leader of the House. The object of placing this Motion on the Paper is that the Bills standing in the name of Lord Onslow should be considered early, because I understand that Lord Onslow is going to accept an Amendment or two proposed by your Lordships, and our desire is that these Amendments should go down to the Commons at the earliest moment in order that they may consider them in turn. I have no reason to think that this course will involve any serious delay in reaching the Questions standing in the names of Lord Sydenham, Lord Southwark, and Lord Newton.

Moved, That Standing Order No. XXI be considered in order to its being suspended for this day's sitting, and that Government Business have precedence over other Notices and Orders of the Day —(The Earl of Crawford.)

VISCOUNT CHAPLIN

My Lords, I have not been able to follow the reason for this extraordinary haste in getting these Bills through. Why is this Standing Order suspended to-day?

THE EARL OF CRAWFORD

Lord Onslow has been invited by one or two Peers to make an Amendment to his Bill, and he proposes to accept that Amendment. The Bill will have to go back to another place, and it will be a convenience to them and, I hope, not an inconvenience to your Lordships, that that should be done as early in the afternoon as possible.

VISCOUNT CHAPLIN

Where does the inconvenience arise?

THE EARL OF CRAWFORD

I think Lord Chaplin was in the House of Commons for thirty-eight years, or rather longer.

VISCOUNT CHAPLIN

Forty-seven.

THE EARL OF CRAWFORD

And he is well aware that it is a great convenience in another place to have the Amendments of this House before them so that they can be circulated by the Clerk at the Table and shown to Members in order that a certain amount of notice may be given of the changes which your Lordships propose. There is no arrière pensée about this Motion. It is a very simple thing, and I do not think it will cause your Lordships any inconvenience.

On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.