§ LORD BANBURY OF SOUTHAMMy Lords, I am informed that yesterday when the Division was taken on the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Bill the Division bell did not ring and that there were noble Lords who were in the House waiting to take part in the Division. It made no difference, I presume, to what took place yesterday, but it might have made a difference, and it might make a difference in the future. The same thing happened to me three or four years ago, and I thought I ought to draw your Lordships' attention to the fact so that it might be remedied in the future.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI do not know whether the Government are able to inform your Lordships how it came about that the bells did not ring?
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (LORD PARMOOR)My Lords, I regret to say that I had not heard of this until the noble Lord told me just 224 before he informed the House. If the noble Marquess opposite thinks that a Committee ought to be appointed, of which I should propose that he should be Chairman, it could look into it more carefully, but I hope that it will not happen again.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI know that the Government are very fond of appointing Committees, but I do not think that it should be necessary in this particular case.
§ LORD PARMOORI agree with the noble Marquess if that is his view.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYPerhaps the noble and learned Lord will make inquiry into the matter—I am sure he will—in order that it should not recur.