§ Brought from the Commons.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, before this Bill is read a first time I would like to consult your Lordships as to the future proceedings upon it. I need not dwell upon the fact, which is self-evident, that it has reached your Lordships at a very late period of the Session, and I do not conceal from your Lordships how greatly I disapprove personally of the circumstances which drive us to the consideration of Bills at such a moment. Therefore I propose to put the Bill down for Second Reading tomorrow, but if, after conference with noble Lords of influence in the House, it seems impossible to proceed further with the Bill, on behalf of the Government I should not dare to press it upon your Lordships. The Bill, however, is very much required, and if your Lordships, sitting in all parts of the House, were willing to allow the Bill to go through in the remaining days at our disposal, of course the Government would be pleased. I do not press your Lordships for a decision at this moment, but if you will allow me to put it down for Second Reading to-morrow, between now and then I shall have an opportunity of hearing what are the views felt about the Bill, and I can then decide as to the course to be taken.
§ VISCOUNT HALDANEMy Lords, if there is a Bill of urgent importance which comes very late to this House, however much we may object to its coming 1128 late I think it is our duty to help it through. I have not seen this Bill but only heard of it.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYIt will not be circulated until to-morrow.
§ VISCOUNT HALDANEI understand its object is to provide for the registration of nursing homes. That is a very desirable thing, and so far as I am concerned, much as I dislike this way of thrusting Bills before us, I think the greater is of more importance than the less, and I shall be desirous of getting the Bill through, subject, of course, to my first seeing it. Of course I do not know what other noble Lords may have to say.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPMy Lords, I entirely concur in what has been said by the noble Viscount. The matter depends upon the contents of the Bill. I am moved to think that it is probably an admirable Bill, because of the excuses made for it. If it had been a bad Bill it would have been introduced earlier, for the noble Marquess would have taken care to see that it would not have been necessary to make excuses for it. I am, therefore, prejudiced in its favour on that account.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI am gratified at the result of the noble Earl's cogitation, although not by the method at which he has arrived at his conclusion. In these circumstances the Bill will be put down for Second Reading to-morrow. It will be circulated tomorrow morning and in the course of the day I shall have an opportunity of hearing from your Lordships the view you take as to future proceedings.
§ Bill read 1a, and to be printed.