HL Deb 26 March 1930 vol 76 cc1053-4

LORD NEWTON had given Notice to ask if it is intended to take any action with reference to the redecoration of the Royal Gallery in view of the Report of the Select Committee on the House of Lords Offices of 6th March, 1930.

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (LORD PARMOOR)

My Lords, before the noble Lord, Lord Newton, rises to put the Question standing in his name, I desire to tell him that on Thursday next the Chairman of Committees, who unfortunately cannot be here to-day, will move the consideration of the Fourth Report of the Select Committee on the House of Lords Offices. That Report raises directly the whole question.

EARL PEEL

Is that next Thursday?

LORD PARMOOR

To-morrow week. That raises the point which the noble Lord desires to deal with, and it will provide an occasion for answering his Question "if it is intended to take any action with reference to the redecoration of the Royal Gallery in view of the Report of the Select Committee on the House of Lords Offices of 6th March, 1930." That is the very Report which the Chairman of Committees desires to bring before your Lordships on Thursday of next week. I have ascertained after speaking to the noble Lord that he might be prepared to accede to the suggestion—and there are other noble Lords who also have been consulted—that the matter might be conveniently dealt with next week.

LORD NEWTON

My Lords, I dislike very much agreeing to these alterations, because there is already a great deal too much uncertainty about the way in which the business of this House is carried on. Noble Lords are frequently brought here on what I can only term false pretences, imagining that a particular Motion is going to be moved and nothing comes of it. However, I cannot resist an appeal coming from such a quarter, and if it is the general wish of the House I am quite prepared to withdraw now on the understanding that the debate will really take place on Thursday next week.

LORD PARMOOR

I think we are all much obliged to the noble Lord and I hope he will not be caused any inconvenience.

House adjourned at twenty minutes past five o'clock.