§ LORD PONSONBY OF SHULBREDEMy Lords, before the adjournment is moved I would ask the noble and learned Viscount who leads the House whether he can tell us something about business during the next few days, more especially with regard to the Coal Mines Bill. At the same time I think it has been intimated to him that on Wednesday next Lord Parmoor will not be moving the Motion which stands in his name on the Paper—[relative to the Report on "The Weathering of Natural Building Stones"] —which he intends to postpone to a later date. That may relieve the pressure next week.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)My Lords, I am obliged to the noble Lord for his question. Your Lordships will appreciate that my answer must be a little provisional, because we are awaiting Bills from 538 another place, and have no control as to the time when they will reach us. I understand the position is that the Coal Mines Bill is expected to complete its passage through the House of Commons by the end of this week, that the Town and Country Planning Bill is expected in the following week, and that the Finance Bill is also expected at the end of next week. Two of those Bills, the Finance Bill and the Coal Mines Bill, are Bills as to which there is great urgency, and indeed in the case of the Finance Bill it is essential that the Royal Assent should be given by June 16. In those circumstances I think probably the convenient course will be to take the Second Reading of the Coal Mines Bill on Wednesday next. I had thought of Tuesday, but in view of what the noble Lord has said Wednesday will give us a little more time for consideration. On the Thursday there is the Committee stage of the Children and Young Persons Bill, already down. On Tuesday the 14th we could, I think, take the Second Reading of the Finance Bill, which generally does not take very long in this House, the Committee stage of the Coal Mines Bill, and the Report stage of the Children and Young Persons Bill, on Wednesday the 15th, and on Thursday the 16th the Third Reading of the Finance Bill and the Coal Mines Bill. That is a provisional programme only, but I think probably it is the most convenient method of enabling your Lordships to have time available for consideration of business.
§ LORD PONSONBY OF SHULBREDEI am obliged to the noble Earl and approve of the programme he has laid down. I suppose it would necessitate a formal sitting on Friday to take the First Reading of the. Coal Mines Bill?
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMEither a formal sitting on Friday or a late sitting on Thursday, and that is being arranged with the Opposition.