§ VISCOUNT HALDANEMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess the Leader of the House whether he can give us any forecast as to when the Irish Bill is likely to be taken? I understand it is passing through the other House during the next day or so, and, as the Government wish to dispose of the matter quickly, it may be well that we should look a little ahead and see what can be done.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, I understand, through the usual channels, that the Government in another place are proposing to suspend the Standing Orders and pass the Irish Bill through all its stages to-day. Your Lordships are aware that there is a special reason for this despatch into which I need not go at the moment. In this event the Bill will be in your Lordships' House this evening before dinner, or to-morrow when we meet. In either case I am anxious to follow the example of the House of Commons and pass the Bill through all its stages in one day if your Lordships are willing. With that object I shall place upon the Paper a Notice asking your Lordships to suspend the Standing Order, and if the Bill reaches us tomorrow I shall ask your Lordships to agree to it to-morrow.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPMy Lords, may I suggest to the noble Marquess that it might be as well if the Bill took precedence of other Orders to-morrow?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYIf your Lordships wish that, no doubt it can be done. Otherwise it would come in its place at the end of the Orders. If the Leader of the Opposition and the noble Earl wish, it might be taken first and I will gee that the necessary Motion is put upon the Paper. I understand that this is the wish of noble Lords.
§ VISCOUNT HALDANEYes.