§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I desire to say that I understand that the noble and learned Lord, Lord Parmoor, has postponed the Motion on foreign affairs, of which he had given Notice for to-morrow, until Thursday. I think I may say that, apart from the routine stages of Bills that must go through and may take a short time, this Motion will have the opportunity of taking practically the first place on Thursday. I hope that your Lordships will understand that this is not an absolute pledge but is subject to the conditions that may transpire between now and Thursday. No one can be quite certain, in these closing days of the Session when everything is done in a hurry, as to the precise form in which the business can be put through, but, with the exception of these routine stages, I anticipate that the Motion will be practically the first business on that day. It is just possible that there may be some stage of the Companies Bill that will take a little time, but I hope that at the worst it will not take very long.
§ LORD OLIVIERMy Lords, my noble and learned Leader, who has had to leave the House, anticipated that the noble Marquess would be able to meet his 1538 wishes and desired me to express his acknowledgments.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPMy Lords, perhaps I may be allowed to make a suggestion. On the last day of the Session it is not unusual to meet early. I have no feeling in the matter. I merely wish to know what view the noble Marquess takes on that point.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI am entirely in the hands of the House. I do not know whether the noble Lord opposite could say whether Lord Parmoor would be willing to attend earlier on Thursday. It would be rather difficult to change the time now that ha has left the House unless the noble Lord, Lord Olivier, can tell us his views.
§ LORD OLIVIERI have no knowledge, but I should think it would be quite probable that he would be able to be here.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI think that what the noble Earl has said is most reasonable and, subject to what I may be told to-morrow, I think that the noble Earl may take it that we shall meet at three o'clock instead of four o'clock on Thursday.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPThat is not what I meant. I had in mind a much earlier hour than three. I think it is sometimes usual to meet in the morning.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYThe noble Earl is under a misapprehension. The last day of the Session is Friday, not Thursday.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPI know, but it is not unusual to meet early even on the day before the last day. I do not mind.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI think a morning meeting would be rather difficult, because it would upset everybody. If the House were full I might be able to ascertain the views of noble Lords, but in the circumstances I think we had better say that we will meet on Thursday at the ordinary time. I do not think that there is any reason to anticipate that we shall sit very late.
§ House adjourned at five minutes before seven o'clock.