§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (LORD PARMOOR)My Lords, before the ordinary business is commenced, as I see Lord Beauchamp is present I would remind him that we have already indicated that we want to sit after dinner to-morrow night in order to go on with the Committee stage of the Road Traffic Bill. I do not know whether it would be convenient to begin earlier to-morrow than the usual hour. There is no judicial business this week and therefore if it were convenient to the House—I will endeavour to ascertain—we could sit at three o'clock to-morrow. It would certainly be a saving of time.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPWill the noble Lord the Leader of the House be good enough to tell me this? I am quite agreeable to sitting after dinner. I think it is the proper thing to do, but supposing we do not get through this Bill to-morrow night would he be prepared to sit after dinner and go on with it on Thursday night?
§ LORD PARMOOROr on Friday morning? That might be a convenient day. Of course, if convenient we can sit after dinner on Thursday. I am quite willing to ascertain and to follow what is the convenience of members of the House generally.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I think the noble Lord would be wise if he followed the suggestion which he has just made. It is very difficult to say until we reach the end of the proceedings to-day or to-morrow what ought to be done, but I venture to think that he will find some difficulty in sitting after dinner on Thursday to take the Road Traffic Bill because we shall be occupied with an even more important Bill until dinner time.
§ LORD PARMOOROf course the Unemployment Insurance Bill must go to 1378 a Second Reading. We cannot interfere with that in any way. I do not know how much time will be required for that Bill. It is a very important Bill, but I have indicated generally what I think would be the best course and that can be adjusted if circumstances vary. I only desire to meet the convenience of the House and at the same time to get through our business. I do not know whether the noble Marquess heard my suggestion, that inasmuch as there is no judicial business to-morrow we might meet an hour earlier if it were convenient and thus have longer time in which to deal with the Road Traffic Bill as well as other business?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYUnless the noble and learned Lord has heard any objections from any quarter of the House I should see no objection to meeting earlier to-morrow.
§ LORD PARMOORThen I should propose that we meet to-morrow an hour before the usual time.
§ LORD BANBURY OF SOUTHAMPresuming we do that I hope we shall not be kept here until a late hour at night.
§ LORD PARMOORThe noble Lord does so much to help us forward with the business and to save our time that of course we wish to do everything to meet him.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPI think it is clear that we must take into consideration what would be for the general convenience of the House, whether we sit on Friday or on Monday. Much time has been occupied with the Road Traffic Bill and it is clear that we must finish it before Christmas.
§ LORD PARMOORThen we will meet at three o'clock to-morrow.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYPerhaps the noble and learned Lord, and his colleague, who has managed the course of this Bill so admirably, will allow me to confer with them later, and perhaps the noble Earl above the gangway will also confer with us?
§ LORD PARMOOROf course I should welcome such a consultation.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYOf course it is quite understood that Lord Stanhope has first place to-morrow?
§ LORD PARMOOROf course.