§ LORD PARMOORMy Lords, has the noble Marquess the Leader of the House come to any determination on the question of the Committee stage of the Tithe Bill, supposing, of course, that we get to the Committee stage?
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, yesterday I promised the noble Earl, Lord Midleton, that I would consider carefully whether it was possible to alter the arrangement of business which I foreshadowed. I suggested that in the event of the Tithe Bill being read a second time to-day we should take the Committee stage on Thursday next. Lord Midleton suggested that it should be taken on Wednesday next. I have considered the suggestion very carefully. It would involve by an Order of the House the displacing of Notices of Motion which stand on the Paper for that day, and I need not say that, after a long experience of the House, I have the greatest reluctance to do that unless it is absolutely necessary. I have been a private Peer so long that I know the extreme exasperation which is produced when you are suddenly upset by an Order of that kind. Twenty-four hours only are involved, and I do not 1105 think it is worth while to incur the very natural and almost appropriate resentment which would certainly be involved. Therefore, unless some strong representations are made to me from influential members of the House I do not propose to alter the arrangement which I foreshadowed yesterday.
§ LORD PARMOORCan the noble Marquess give us any further information as to the Rating and Valuation Bill, and whether it is likely to be here on the day he mentioned?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI am in exactly the same position to-day as I was yesterday. I hope the Bill will get through another place to-morrow, and in that event it will be read a first time in this Horse to-morrow afternoon.