§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)moved, That Standing Orders No. XXI and XXXIX be considered in order to their being suspended for this day's sitting. The noble Viscount said: My Lords, in moving the suspension of these two Standing Orders I ought, I am afraid, to apologise to my noble and long-suffering friend Lord Danesfort because he has a Bill down which would normally take precedence of Government business. I am sure my noble friend will appreciate that there is real urgency in this matter as there is business put down which it is essential to take before the adjournment and which can only conveniently be accomplished by taking it this afternoon. If your Lordships should be good enough to pass the Motion, it may be for your convenience if t should name the order in which I should propose to ask you to take the business. The first business which I should propose to submit would be the Motion with regard to the memorial tablet to the Earl of Oxford and Asquith. The second would be the Motion with regard to the appointment of the Joint Select Committee on Indian Constitutional Reform, with regard to which I understand a Message has been received from another place. Thirdly, we would take the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Bill through all its stages, and the fourth business would be the Committee stage of the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill. The Church of Scotland (Property and Endowments) Amendment Bill is not, I understand, going to be taken to-day, and therefore the next business would be the Tribunal of Inquiry in Glasgow. Then, if Lord Danesfort is still anxious to have a debate on his Performing Animals (Regulation) Amendment Bill, that can appropriately conclude our afternoon's entertainment. I beg to move the Motion standing in my name.
§ Moved, That Standing Orders Nos. XXI and XXXIX be considered in order to their being suspended for this day's sitting.—(Viscount Hailsham)
§ LORD DANESFORTMy Lords, may I say in reply to my noble friend that I entirely agree with him and shall support his Motion, although it ma), involve the 469 postponement of my Bill until after Easter. I realise that Government business is so exceedingly important that no private business should compete with it.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.