§ VISCOUNT HALDANEMy Lords, I wish to ask the noble Marquess opposite whether he is in a position to make any statements about when he proposes that the House should adjourn for the Easter Recess and when he proposes that it should sit again.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, I propose, with your Lordships' consent, that the House should adjourn on Monday next. There are a few Bills the concluding stages of which might be very well taken on that day if your Lordships consent to sit on Monday—namely, the Third Reading of the Land Drainage Bill, the Coroners (Amendment) Bill and the Law of Property (Amendment) Bill. The more usual day would be Tuesday, but perhaps it would be for the convenience of your Lordships to get the matter settled on Monday, if it can be done.
§ VISCOUNT HALDANEAt the usual hour?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYYes. As regards this week I am afraid I must ask your Lordships to have a formal sitting—at least, it will be very little more than a formal sitting—on Friday, because there must be a Royal Commission for the Consolidated Fund Bill and other financial Bills, which have been under the consideration of your Lordships lately, including the Trade Facilities Bill and the Unemployment Insurance 760 (Northern Ireland Agreement) Bill. If your Lordships would be good enough, therefore, to meet on Friday at 3.30 we will put the Consolidated Fund Bill that day through all its stages. Proper Notice will be given to suspend the Standing Orders. After that business is concluded there will be a Royal Commission for the Royal Assent to be given to those Financial Bills. I need not tell your Lordships that the reason for asking you to take these steps is that the Bills have to be got through by a certain day. I should propose that the House should adjourn on Monday until Thursday, April 15.