§ LORD PONSONBY OF SHULBREDEMy Lords, before the House adjourns may I ask the Leader of the House, firstly, when the Second Reading of the North Atlantic Shipping Bill will be taken; secondly, if there is any alteration of the time of meeting on Thursday next; and thirdly, whether he can tell us what the date of the adjournment for the Easter Recess will be?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)My Lords, I am obliged to the noble Lord for giving me an opportunity to answer these questions. The Second Reading of the North Atlantic Shipping Bill will be taken on Thursday next, and inasmuch as there is a considerable volume of business for that day, and I have ascertained from the judicial authorities of this House that there is no legal business, I was pro- 297 posing to suggest to your Lordships that we should meet at three o'clock on Thursday. That, I think, ought to give us time to dispose of the business without undue pressure. With regard to the question of the adjournment for the Easter Recess, I understand that in another place they are adjourning on Thursday of next week. I anticipate that all our business will be finished on the Wednesday, and provisionally I was proposing to invite your Lordships to 298 adjourn on Wednesday, March 28. We may safely adjourn until Wednesday, April 11. That would be a clear fortnight. I know that on April 11 the noble Lord opposite has himself a Motion on the Paper, but I do not think that there is any other business at present for that date, and I do not see why we should ask your Lordships to assemble earlier.
§ House adjourned at a quarter past five o'clock.