§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, I do not know whether before the business of the House is taken, it would be convenient that I should ask the noble and learned Leader of the House if he has any statement to make with regard to the course of business in the future.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (LORD PARMOOR)My Lords, I thank the noble Viscount the Leader of the Opposition for asking me this question. He may have noticed, and I dare say others of your Lordships have noticed, the wish expressed by the Prime Minister in another place that Parliament should either adjourn or prorogue at the end of July. Here we are quite up to date with our work, so that we, at any rate, do not put any obstruction or difficulty in the way of that admirable desire, after a very long Session. It may, however, be necessary—I do not want to say more than that to-day—to meet either on Fridays or Mondays, whichever day in the particular case is most convenient to your Lordships. I, of course, will consult your Lordships about it. That would enable us to get through our business and keep quite up to date. I know that privilege will be accorded to me as Leader of the House if I make the request.
There is one other matter I should like to mention. I understand that the Coal Mines Bill is still under discussion in another place. Although we had hoped to discuss it to-day, it really cannot come on for discussion until to-morrow. Therefore I shall put down the same form of Resolution that stands on the Paper in my name to-day, so that it may take precedence over all other work if it is sent up from the Commons in time for us to proceed with it to-morrow. I am sure your Lordships are aware of the necessity of dealing with it as quickly as possible, and therefore I need not say anything more on the subject.
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, I would only assure the noble and learned Lord that I realise that at this stage of the Session it is not unusual for the Government of the day, whoever they may be, to have to make a request on the lines of that which he has just made. I think it is also usual to ask that if it should be found necessary to take precedence in the business of the House, the Leader of the House would do his best to protect any Motion which has already been set down on the Paper or any business which has been advanced, so that the fact that the Government have to take precedence shall not deprive those who have already secured a place of the opportunity of getting their Motions or their Bills adequately discussed.
§ LORD PARMOORMy Lords, I think it has always been the desire of the Leader of the House, certainly ever since I have been a member, that that should be done if possible. It cannot always be done. There is an instance to-morrow when the right rev. Prelate the Bishop of Southwark has a Motion on the Paper dealing with slum clearance. It is absolutely essential that to-morrow Government business should take precedence, but I quite agree with the noble and learned Viscount that unless there is overwhelming necessity that ought not to be done, and I shall certainly not propose that it be done.