HL Deb 14 July 1926 vol 64 cc1141-2

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

Before the Motion for the Second Reading of this Bill is moved I should like to consult noble Lords in all parts of the House. The arrangement is to come back after dinner, and if your Lordships are anxious to discuss the Bill on this stage that course must be pursued, and I should ask your Lordships to adjourn until half past nine. If it is preferred to take this stage without discussion, and to take the discussion on the Motion, to-morrow, to go into Committee, then we should not have to come back to-night.

VISCOUNT HALDANE

It will be understood that there will be no objection taken to a full discussion on the Motion to go into Committee.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I should add that I was going to ask your Lordships to agree to all the stages of the Bill being taken to-morrow night. If you will allow me to state them, the reasons for that are these. The West Ham Board of Guardians have no money left at all, and, therefore, within a very few days indeed—I believe at the end of this week—all relief must come to an end, unless the Government give them more money, which they will do nothing with except to squander. Perhaps that is a little provocative, and I ought not to have used the expression at the present moment. At any rate they would use it in a manner not approved by the Government. Therefore it is very necessary that the Bill should become an Act of Parliament this week, and for those reasons I ask you to accept this procedure.

EARL BEAUCHAMP

I have no objection to all the stages being taken to-morrow, and I do not propose to object to the Second Reading of the Bill. I have it in mind, however, to put down certainly one Amendment to the Bill. If we agree to the suggestion made by the noble Marquess that would not be very easily possible, unless the noble Marquess will agree to consider any Amendment which I move to-morrow without it being printed and on the Order Paper.

TEE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I propose that we take the Second Reading to-night without discussion, and take the discussion on the Motion to go into Committee. There will be nothing to prevent the noble Earl putting down an Amendment.

VISCOUNT HALDANE

The discussion may he as full as if we had the Second Reading Motion before us?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

Certainly.

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (THE EARL OF ONSLOW)

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a Second time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Earl of Onslow.)

On Question, Bill read 2a and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

House adjourned at five minutes past eight o'clock.