§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD PASSFIELD)My Lords, I think Notice has been given, so far as was possible, of the desire of my noble friend the Leader of the House that the Second Reading of this Bill should be postponed. I beg to move, therefore, that the Second Reading be postponed until June 9 next.
§ Moved, That the Motion for the Second Reading be postponed until June 9 next.—(Lord Passfield.)
§ EARL STANHOPEMy Lords, I want to raise only one point on this Motion. No doubt the Government are aware that the first Convention is due to come into operation on July 1 next, and if we take the Second Reading on June 9 it will obviously be impossible to get this long Bill through both Houses by that date, so that it may be necessary to alter some of the dates on which Conventions shall come into operation. Obviously the Bill will not be law by the time when the 1282 first Convention ought to begin to operate.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.