§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (LORD PARMOOR)My Lords, before moving the Motion which stands in my name on the Paper, I think I might make a statement which would be for the convenience of the House. In the great difficulty of finding another day we put down the Third Reading of the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Bill for Friday next. The noble and learned Viscount who leads the Opposition, the noble Earl, Lord Stanhope, and many other Peers think that 454 date is inconvenient. It was certainly put on the Paper as the only opportunity I could find, but I propose to put the appropriate Motion to suspend any Standing Orders which come in the way to ask that the Bill shall be taken in the first place on Tuesday next instead of Friday. I hope that will meet the convenience of noble Lords.
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, I am afraid it is rather irregular that I should say anything, but by the leave of your Lordships may I say that I think it would be very inconvenient to take the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Bill on Friday. It is a very controversial matter and it would be very difficult for some of your Lordships to attend then. I realise that it is a very urgent measure because it has to be considered in another place and it is very important that the Convention should be ratified. I think, therefore, that in the difficult circumstances the course which the noble and learned Lord suggests will be the best that could be adopted. I thank him for making the suggestion.