HL Deb 27 February 1929 vol 72 cc1097-9

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY) had given Notice to move, That Standing Order No. XXI be considered in order to its being dispensed with for the purpose of giving precedence to the Local Government Bill and to the Local Government (Scotland) Bill (in the event of its being received from the Commons) over the other Notices and Orders of the Day whenever the said Bills are set down.

The noble Marquess said: My Lords, I beg to move the Motion which stands in my name on the Paper relative to dispensing with Standing Order No. XXI in respect of the two Local Government Bills. The noble and learned Lord, Lord Buckmaster, was good enough, as we might have expected, not to press his Motion for the Committee stage of his Bill which was set down for to-day. He has taken it off the Paper. But I think it would be just as well, if your Lordships are willing, that we should pass the Motion which stands in my name in order to avoid a similar difficulty arising in the future. It is really very important that these two great Local Government Bills for England and Scotland should have a fair opportunity when they are set down, and I believe your Lordships would agree with me at any rate to that extent. Therefore, if the House is good enough to pass this Motion, then they will have precedence whenever they are set down.

But it has been pointed out to me since the Motion was put upon the Paper that there may be reasons to make an exception. Some very important matter might arise interesting to noble Lords on the Front Bench opposite, or noble Lords sitting above the gangway, and it might be well to make an exception in special cases even when one of these Bills is set down. Therefore I propose to add at the end the words "unless the Government agree to the contrary" in order to leave a locus penitentiæ in that portion. It is according to precedent. I move the Motion with that addition.

Moved, That Standing Order No. XXI. be considered in order to its being dispensed with for the purpose of giving precedence to the Local Government Bill and to the Local Government (Scotland) Bill (in the event of its being received from the Commons) over the other Notices and Orders of the Day whenever the said Bills are set down, unless the Government agree to the contrary.—(The Marquess of Salisbury.)

LORD PARMOOR

My Lords, I entirely agree with what the noble Marquess has said. I think that important business of this kind should have precedence, leaving it open, as the noble Marquess says, on any special occasion which might arise, to decide otherwise where the Government might think an agreement to the contrary would be better. I thank the noble Marquess and think it will be a great advantage.

LORD OLIVIER

May I take this opportunity to remind the noble Marquess that there is a Motion on the Paper for March 13 which might interfere with the Scottish Bill, but which was put down for that day on the suggestion made personally by the noble Marquess?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I do not think, if I recall my programme to my mind, there is any chance that the Local Government Bill will be set down on that day, but I would not pledge myself.

LORD OLIVIER

The noble Marquess said it would be put down for the 13th.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I dare say I did say so. I say a great many foolish things.

On Question, Motion agreed to and ordered accordingly.