§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, I do not know if it would be convenient for His Majesty's Government if I were to ask a question now with regard to the probable course of business, especially having regard to the fact that Easter is not very far away, and I think some of us would like to be reassured as to when we are likely to go and when we are to come back. I assume that the arrangement as to Tuesday being the day for the Committee stage of the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill still stands, but if His Majesty's Government can give any information with regard to their intention as to the other sittings of the House I think it would be a convenience for all of your Lordships.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD PASSFIELD)My Lords, I am obliged to the noble and learned Viscount for putting this question. We are hoping that the House will be able to conclude its business on Monday, March 30, and then rise for the Easter Recess. It is suggested, if convenient to your Lordships, that the House should not assemble again until Tuesday, April 21, giving a Recess of three weeks. With regard to the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill, I am sorry to say that it will not be possible to take the Committee stage on March 24, as had been arranged. It will be known to your Lordships that my noble friend Lord De La Wan is not able to be here, and probably, almost certainly, he will not be able to be here on March 24. Accordingly it is suggested that the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill should be taken in Committee on April 21 and April 22. I think that would be for the convenience of your Lordships in any case. At any rate we are giving ample notice. I ought to say that, as your Lordships are aware, the Army and Air Force Annual Bill has to become law before April 30, and therefore it is 446 proposed to put it down as the first business on April 21, and then go on to the Committee stage of the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill, for which a second day is provided on April 22. I think that that is all that can be arranged at present.
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMI am indebted to the noble Lord for the information which he has given us. I am sorry for the alteration of date with regard to the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill, but I quite understand that the noble Lord could not know this before and I can only add how sorry we are for the reason for the postponement.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPWill the noble Lord convey to Lord De La Warr how sorry we are for his absence, because we do appreciate the way in which he transacts the business of which he is in charge. I am sorry I could not quite hear what the noble Lord said, but I think he suggested that we should meet here on Monday, March 30. If so, what would be our business on that day? Would it be purely formal business, or more than formal? because otherwise it seems rather unnecessary that those of your Lordships who may be in the country should be brought Up for a single day's business, and that on a Monday.
§ LORD PASSFIELDIt is proposed to take on Tuesday, March 24, the Metropolitan Police (Staff Superannuation and Police Fund) Bill, Committee stage, and on Wednesday, the 25th, the Report stage, and then the Commons' Motion for a Select Committee on the London Passenger Transport Bill, and also the Mental Treatment Rules. Then on Thursday, the 26th, the Pharmacy and Poisons Bill, Committee stage, as has already been arranged, and the Highway Code, and the Metropolitan Police Bill, Third Beading. Then on Friday there will be the Consolidated Fund Bill, which we hope your Lordships will pass through all its stages in preparation for the Royal Commission the same afternoon. This leaves over the Pharmacy and Poisons Bill, remaining stages. I do not know whether it would be for the convenience of the House to take those stages on Friday, along with the Consolidated Fund Bill.
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMQuite impossible.
§ LORD PASSFIELDThen perhaps they had better stand over until after the Recess, in which case it would be unnecessary to meet on Monday, the 30th, at all.
§ EARL BEAUCHAMPIf we take the Committee stage of the Pharmacy and Poisons Bill on the Thursday, it would be rather too soon to expect us to take the Report on Friday, because I understand that Lord Dawson of Penn has been in consultation with Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, and there are important Amendments to be moved. I think we ought to have a few hours in which to consider them. Therefore if the noble Lord will give us a little more time—
§ LORD PASSFIELDI withdrew that suggestion as to Friday and proposed to take the remaining stages after the Recess.