BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 28 July 1924)

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
I do not know whether the noble and learned Lord would like to say anything as regards business?

§ LORD PARMOOR
There is a Motion down in my name as regards to-day's business and in moving that I will make a statement. The Motion is that Standing Order XXI be considered in order to its being dispensed with for the purpose of allowing the Committee stage of the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill to have precedence of the Report stage of the London Traffic Bill and certain subsequent Orders. The noble Marquess will recollect that on a former occasion I stated the urgency of the matter. I think I should warn the House that if we are to finish the business on the Paper to-day it may be necessary, if your Lordships will consent to it, to sit after the dinner hour. I do not want to say that too positively because possibly the business may be got through, but there is a great deal upon the Paper.
The only other questions that I think I need say a word about are these. Subject to the other business which will be upon the Paper it will be important to finish, if possible, to-morrow the Unemployment Insurance Bill so that it may go back to another place as early as possible. The same urgency would apply to to-morrow as to to-day. The London Traffic Bill will, I imagine, be down for to-morrow and it would also be important to do that Bill, though it might stand over for another day if any important change is made upon the Report stage, in order that it might be further considered. As your Lordships are aware the Housing Bill is already on the Paper. That is an important matter which must come on to-morrow. I was going to mention also the Agricultural Wages Bill to which, at the present time, there is no reference upon the Paper. I do not know whether it will come up to us to-day or not, but it is a matter in which your Lordships are much interested and I should like to put the Second Beading down for a time that is convenient to your Lordships. As apparently there is nothing on the Paper for Thursday—

§ THE EARL OF BIRKENHEAD
There is the question that I have raised to-day, but I do not think it will take long.

§ LORD PARMOOR
Except that, there is nothing down in the way of Questions, but the Bills come first on Thursday. I will, however, talk to the noble Earl about that, and see what arrangements can be made. I do not wish to say anything to-day about the further stages of the Agricultural Wage" Bill, nor until after the Second Beading has been taken.

§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT HALDANE)
My Lords, it may be to your Lordships' convenience if we definitely heard the arrangements for this week. We are sitting to-day at a quarter past three, and, with the weight of business upon us, it seems to me that it would be better to sit at quarter past three each day.

§ LORD PARMOOR
There is the Committee for Privileges to-morrow.

§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR
Well, then we could sit to-morrow at a. quarter past four, and on the other days, when there is no Committee for Privileges, we could sit earlier. I want to draw attention to the fact that the amount of business to be done makes it very doubtful in my mind whether we can get through it next week, or without encroaching a good deal upon next week. On Friday this week, perhaps, we might sit at twelve, as we did before, to meet the desire of your Lordships, and rise, say, at four o'clock. We could get through a certain amount of business by then. The week after that will take care of itself. So far as to-morrow is concerned I think we had better meet at a quarter past four, and on the rest of the days of the week at a quarter past three.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
My Lords, I am sure the Lord Chancellor is fully justified in asking your Lordships to sit daily at a quarter past three this week. At this time of the Session that is a reasonable arrangement, but I experience a little feeling of opposition when I hear that your Lordships cannot 1031 sit to-morrow at a quarter past throe because one of the Committees of the House is already ordered for that day.

§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR
The Committee for Privileges.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
That is a Committee of this House, and I should have thought it was for the Committee for Privileges to give way to the House of Lords rather than the House of Lords to give way to the Committee for Privileges.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF DONOUGHMORE)
I have no objection at all. It would mean that the Committee for Privileges would have to sit on Wednesday as well. The arrangement for to-morrow's meeting has been made for a long time.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
I do not want to interfere: I will leave it to the Lord Chancellor to thrash the matter out with the Lord Chairman. So far as the rest of the week is concerned, I think we should sit at a quarter past three. The Lord President of the Council intimated that the Third Reading of the Unemployment Insurance (No. 2) Bill must be taken to-morrow, no doubt, because of the exigencies of time. It is very inconvenient that we should have been driven to this position. It is an important Bill, and your Lordships, I think, have been treated very cavalierly by those responsible for the conduct of business in another place. Then there is the London Traffic Bill. The Report Stage will, I think, be finished to-night. The Lord President spoke about sitting after dinner. I do not think that will be necessary. I think he will find that the business will be finished before dinner time. But as regards the Third Beading of the Unemployment Insurance Bill, I hope the Lord President will not make up his mind to take the Third Reading to-morrow. I am always very careful about Third Readings, and I want a little time to look through the Bill, to see that it is absolutely all right and that the necessary notices can be handed in of any further Amendments. I think the Third Reading of that Bill may properly be taken on Wednesday. Then there is the Housing (Financial Provisions) Bill which stands as the principal business for 1032 to-morrow. The Lord Chancellor did not say when he proposed to take the Committee Stage of that Bill.

§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR
I have been considering that matter. Suppose we say to-day week; that is, Monday next.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
We shall certainly enjoy our Bank Holiday very well in discussing that Bill. As regards the Agricultural Wages Bill I do not see any objection to taking it any convenient day this week. The Lord President, however, will recollect that the adjourned debate on India stands on the Paper. It is quite clear this cannot be taken to-morrow; that is out of the question. The Housing Bill will take the whole of to-morrow. Therefore, I think it is incumbent on the Government to find an opportunity at an early day to resume the debate on India. That may alter the order of business somewhat for this week.

§ LORD PARMOOR
Perhaps the noble Marquess will allow me to consult with him on that matter?

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
Certainly.

§ EARL BEAUCHAMP
May I ask the Lord President when he proposes to take, the Second Reading of the Old Age Pensions Bill? Some of my noble friends are interested in that measure, and I shall be glad to know on what day he proposes to proceed with it. With regard to the adjourned debate on India, it was, I think, adjourned by a noble friend of mine and therefore I shall be glad to communicate with the Lord President so that I can get in touch with my noble friend and prevent him making a wasted journey to this House.

§ LORD PARMOOR
The Second Reading of the Old Age Pensions Bill is put down for Wednesday. It is almost entirely a financial measure; but perhaps the noble Earl will see me with regard to it.

§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR
The Lord Chairman has just informed me that the Committee for Privileges will rise in time for this House to sit at 3.15 p.m. to-morrow.