§ LORD HUNSDON OF HUNSDONMy Lords, I wish to ask my noble friend the Leader of the House, a Question of which I have given him private notice. On March 1 last I ventured to propose that Bills which your Lordships were unable to revise properly at the end of the Session might be carried over to the next Session of the same Parliament. My noble friend the Leader of the House answered that the question ought to be carefully considered. May I ask my noble friend whether the Government have seen their way to propose any action in that sense?
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, it is perfectly true that my noble friend approached me on this subject some time ago, and also that my noble friend the Duke of Northumberland, speaking in the name of a good many noble Lords sitting on this side of the House, pressed me upon the point. Without tying myself to any absolute form of reference, if next Session my noble friend should think fit to move for a Select Committee of both Houses of 1541 Parliament to consider how far it would be desirable in the case where a Bill has passed through the Commons but there is not sufficient time properly to consider it in the Lords, to carry the Bill over so that in the next Session notwithstanding the Prorogation the consent of the Commons at the point where it has been already given may be presumed, and the proceedings recommenced only in the Lords, His Majesty's Government would accept the motion.
§ LORD HUNSDON OF HUNSDONMay I say I am very much gratified with the answer of my noble friend and I shall certainly adopt his suggestion next Session. Probably my noble friend is equally gratified at being able to give that answer.