HL Deb 22 July 1930 vol 78 cc668-70
THE LORD PRESIDENT of THE COUNCIL (LORD PARMOOR)

My Lords, I desire to make a statement about the future of business. To-morrow, Wednesday, it suits the Leader of the Opposition and the Lord Chancellor that the Coal Mines Bill should be taken on the consideration of the Commons Amendment to a Lords Amendment.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, may I ask whether the noble and learned Lord has anything to say to us in respect of any other business?

LORD PARMOOR

I might say this. I have a programme, and I hope we shall get all our business done in time, but it is difficult, because so much of it is rather behindhand, either here or in the other House. I suggested yesterday that we might take the Report Stage of the Housing Bill on Thursday, but I think it is doubtful whether it will be ready by that time.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

So do I.

LORD PARMOOR

I do not wish to say more than that.

EARL BEAUCHAMP

I was not quite clear whether the noble and learned Lord said the House was to take the Coal Mines Bill to-morrow or not.

LORD PARMOOR

To-morrow.

EARL BEAUCHAMP

Then I quite realise that His Majesty's Government would probably wish to sit, on Friday, and I am quite sure that, if they do, there will be no objection in any quarter of the House. Perhaps the noble and learned Lord will give us notice in good time as to the hour at which it would be convenient for us to meet on Friday?

LORD PARMOOR

I will certainly do that. It might be convenient in the noble Earl's view—I know it is convenient to a good many members of your Lordships' House—in the case of a Friday sitting to have it fairly early in the day. I do not suggest any exact time at the moment. We can discuss that later.

LORD DYNEVOR

If we do not take the Report stage of the Housing Bill on Thursday, would it be taken this week or next week?

LORD PARMOOR

That, again, is rather a difficulty, because I think we might have to take it on Friday if we could not take it on Thursday, because a very important Bill has to come back here—the Road Traffic Bill. We cannot say yet exactly when it will come back. It is not quite completed in another place.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

The only suggestion I would venture to make to the noble and learned Lord is this. There seemed to be some ambiguity—not at all unreasonable ambiguity—as to the day on which lie proposes to take the Report stage of the Housing Bill. I do not know whether he will, through the usual channels, consult those of us who sit on this side of the House before he puts it down?

LORD PARMOOR

It has been put down provisionally for Thursday, but as I said—

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I entirely agree with the noble and learned Lord that Thursday would not be a convenient day.

LORD PARMOOR

Probably not, but I will consult the noble Marquess as to what is a convenient day.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

And with respect to the Road Traffic Bill perhaps the noble and learned Lord will consult us also?

LORD PARMOOR

Yes, certainly.