§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, your Lordships are aware that we must keep a House, in the technical meaning of the word, up to, I hope, not later than seven o'clock this evening, in order to receive the Irish Free State Constitution Bill and the Irish Free State (Consequential Provisions) Bill from the House of Commons. That will not entail the attendance of any of your Lordships except those whose business it is to attend. The Bills will then be read a first time. Your Lordships are also aware that we are to meet at three o'clock to-morrow in order to take the Second Reading of these two Bills. I hope to get the Second Reading to-morrow. In the event of that being impossible the discussion will have to be adjourned to the next day. I think your Lordships would probably like to meet at three o'clock on Friday in order to give a little more time for the Committee stage of the two Irish Bills.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPMy Lords, I offer no objection to the course proposed by the noble Marquess, but may I remind him that in the old days it used to be the custom to meet at twelve o'clock on Fridays. I have no wish, however, to do 105 that unless it moots the convenience of the majority of members of your Lordships' House.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYThe Government are entirely in the hands of your Lordships in this matter. If you wish to meet at twelve o'clock on Friday we will do so, but my impression is that most Peers, especially those engaged in business, prefer to meet at three o'clock rather than at twelve, and unless I receive an intimation that your Lordships wish otherwise I propose to ask you to meet at three o'clock on Friday.