§ THE MARQUESS CURZON OF KEDLESTONMy Lords, before your Lordships separate, it is, I think, desirable to say a word about our future course of business. As matters at present stand it is contemplated that we should take the Second Reading of the Unemployment Insurance Bill at 12 o'clock on Friday. At the same time I think your Lordships will be desirous of avoiding a sitting on that day if we can conveniently do so, and a suggestion has been made, and I have had the pleasure of discussing it with the Lord President. On Thursday, at the present moment, there are a number of Bills on the Order Paper at the commencement of the proceedings, none of which, I understand, will take very long. In fact, the whole of them should be dismissed in a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes. Then there comes a very important discussion initiated by Viscount Grey of Fallodon, dealing with the question of the League of Nations, which it is very desirable should not be deprived of its priority of place.
In view of the fact that the preliminary-proceedings will be short, the suggestion is that we should meet on Thursday, say, at a quarter past three, get rid of the preliminary business, have the discussion on the League of Nations, and then, a Motion having been put down for leave, take the Second Reading of the Unemployment Insurance Bill after the debate on the League of Nations is over. Such a plan would have this treble advantage. In the first place, if it be accepted, it will save us from a Friday sitting. In the second place, it will enable my noble and learned friend, Viscount Cave, who is anxious to speak on the Second Reading, to be in his place for the purpose on Thursday, whereas on Friday he is presiding over the Privy Council and cannot attend. Thirdly, if we lake and get the Second Reading of the Insurance Bill on Thursday, we shall be in a position to take the Committee stage on Monday, 850 which would be unusual and difficult if we only got the Second Reading on Friday. I therefore make this suggestion to the noble and learned Lord.
§ LORD PARMOORI am entirely in agreement with the suggestion, and I think it would be for the convenience of everyone. I should certainly desire to meet the convenience of Lord Cave in every possible manner, and, as the noble Marquess has pointed out, there are other directions in which I think the change would be satisfactory to your Lordships. I entirely assent to the suggestion of the noble Marquess.
§ [The sitting was suspended at a quarter before eight o'clock and resumed at a quarter past nine.]