§ LORD NEWTONMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend the Earl of Midleton, I beg to move that leave he given to my noble friend Viscount FitzAlan of Derwent for his Motion relating to the reform of this House (now standing for Wednesday, June 22 next) to be advanced to Monday, June 20 next. I should like to take this opportunity of asking the noble Earl who leads the House if it will be possible to make arrangements for us to have a proper debate on this subject. This is a question that interests everybody in this House, and I expect that there are a large number of noble Lords who never come here habitually but who may, when they find that it is proposed to abolish them, think it desirable to appear and be heard in 524 their own defence. In those circumstances it seems to me extremely probable that the debate will last for a considerable time—in fact, my noble friend, Lord Midleton, I believe, expects it to last three days. What I suggest to the Government is that Monday, June 20, Tuesday, June 21, and Wednesday, June 22, should be allotted to this particular debate. I am aware that Tuesday, June 21, has been taken for the adjourned debate on the Second Reading of the Liquor (Popular Control) Bill, but the interval between the adjourned debate on the Second Reading of that Bill and June 21 is a considerable one, and it really will not do anybody much harm if the resumed debate is deferred until a later date. I hope that the noble Earl who leads the House will be good enough to listen to my suggestion.
§ Moved, That leave be given to the Viscount FitzAlan of Derwent for his Motion (now standing for Wednesday, the 22nd of June next) to be advanced to Monday, the 20th of June next.—(Lord Newton).
§ LORD PARMOORMy Lords, I should like to ask one question before the noble Earl speaks. I have no objection whatever to the forwarding of the Motion from one day to the other, but I am not prepared to assent to the further proposition that the debate should occupy the three days from June 20 to June 22, for this would undoubtedly interrupt engagements that have already been made. I am ready to leave the matter in the hands of the noble Earl, but, as far as advancing the date to June 20 is concerned, I have no objection whatever.
§ THE EARL OF BALFOURMy Lords, I am afraid that this matter must be arranged between the noble Lords interested in those particular debates. I am more familiar with the procedure of a House where, during many days of the week at all events, the Government have control of business. That is not the case in your Lordships' House with regard to any day of the week, so that I must ask noble Lords to arrange this for themselves. I will do my best to help them.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.