§ Brought from the Commons, read 1a, and to be printed.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, with reference to the Motion which has just been carried, I would ask your Lordship's leave to consult the Government as to when the Second Heading of the Irish Free State (Confirmation of Agreement) Bill will be taken. Your Lordships will remember that last week my noble friend the Leader of the Opposition suggested that it might be left open whether the Second Reading should be taken on Monday or Tuesday. I have had the advantage of discussing the matter with him—he is obliged to be away to-day—and he is convinced that it would not be possible consistently with the public service to take the Bill as early as Monday, and that it ought to be put down for Tuesday. The conduct of your Lordships' House in reference to this Bill is a matter of very grave importance and considerable difficulty, and I am sure that your Lordships will understand the necessity for not unduly hastening the day upon which the Second Reading is to be taken. May I add that, from information which has reached me, the number of noble Lords of great influence who are likely to desire to address your Lordships would seem to make it almost impossible to finish the debate on the Second Reading in one day? Accordingly, my respectful suggestion to the House and to the Government is that we should take the Second Reading not only on Tuesday but also on Wednesday. I hope that this may meet the convenience of the Government.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT HALDANE)My Lords, I think the suggestion of the noble Marquess is a very reasonable one, and the Government assents to it. If we are to sit on Tuesday to take the Second Reading of this Bill, 536 the only question that remains is whether we should sit at the usual hour or whether the list of speakers is such that we ought to sit a little earlier. Perhaps that is a matter which might be arranged by consultation. Would the noble Marquess like to say anything about it now?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI am in the hands of the House and of the Government, but there is a, certain inconvenience, I think, in leaving doubtful the hour at which the House will meet on Tuesday, because the noble Lords who are here now, and others who will read the OFFICIAL REPORT to-morrow morning, will desire to know what time the House is to meet. It would probably be for the convenience of the House, therefore, that we should definitely say at what time your Lordships will meet on Tuesday. I see no reason why we should not meet at the usual time, but that is a matter for your Lordships. I think it is very likely that it would be right to ask the House to meet a little earlier on Wednesday.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORIn that case we might possibly say that we should meet at half-past three on Tuesday. We could then make substantial progress with the Bill. I am entirely in the hands of the noble Marquess about that.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI think the noble and learned Viscount misunderstood me. I think we should meet at the usual time on Tuesday, and earlier on Wednesday.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORVery well, let that be so. And we shall probably get the decision on the Second Reading on Wednesday?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYYes, certainly.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORSupposing the Second Reading is agreed to on Wednesday, we shall then require two days for the subsequent stages. Perhaps the noble Marquess will consider whether, upon Wednesday, we might not agree to suspend the Standing Order and take the remaining stages without the necessity of further successive day's intervals.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYWe will certainly consider that.