HL Deb 04 April 1935 vol 96 cc613-6
LORD PONSONBY OF SHULBREDE

My Lords, before the House adjourns, may I ask the Leader of the House if he will be good enough to tell us what is the business for next week, and if there are any additions to what is already on the Paper? Perhaps, also, though it is some distance ahead, it would be for the general convenience if the noble Viscount could tell us the arrangements with regard to the sittings of your Lordships' House in Jubilee week.

Their Lordships divided;—Contents, 44; Not-contents, 14.

CONTENTS.
Aberdeen and Temair, M. Ullswater, V. Ker, L. (M. Lothian.)
Reading, M. Kinnaird, L.
Salisbury, M. Winchester, L. Bp. Marks, L.
O'Hagan, L.
Dudley, E. Alvingham, L. Ormonde, L. (M. Ormonde.)
Feversham, E. Askwith, L. Palmer, L.
Iveagh, E. Biddulph, L. Rankeillour, L.
Lucan, E. Clwyd, L. Redesdale, L.
Malmesbury, E. Cottesloe, L. Remnant, L.
Strafford, E. Ebbisham, L. Rhayader, L.
Wicklow, E. Greenway, L. Rockley, L. [Teller.]
Hampton, L. Shute, L. (V. Barrington.)
Elibank, V. Hanworth, L. Stanmore, L.
Hailsham, V. Howard of Penrith, L. Strathcona and Mount Royal, L.
Halifax, V. Hunsdon of Hunsdon. L. [Teller.]
Mersey, V. Trent, L.
Plumer, V. Illingworth, L.
NOT-CONTENTS.
Argyll, D. Bayford, L. Merrivale, L.
Cranworth, L. Ponsonby of Shulbrede, L.
Jellicoe, E. Fairfax of Cameron, L. [Teller.] Rochester, L.
Midleton, E. [Teller.] Sanderson, L.
Howard of Glossop, L. Strabolgi, L.
Arnold, L. Marley, L.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)

My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord for asking me the question. So far as next week is concerned, there are the two matters on the Paper for Tuesday, the Second Reading of the Bill of my noble friend Lord Rankeillour, and the Motion in the name of Lord Eltisley. There will also be the Third Reading of the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill, and the Second Reading of the Land Drainage (Scotland) Bill. That last Bill is, I think, quite uncontentious. It passed through the other place without any difficulty, and it is desired, if possible, to get it on the Statute Book next week. Then, on Wednesday, there is a Motion that stands in the name of my noble 'friend Lord Cranworth, the Second Reading of the Vagrancy Bill, and the Committee stage of the Land Drainage (Scotland) Bill. I understand also that the noble Marquess, Lord Lothian, has put clown a Motion dealing with ribbon development, the exact terms of which I have not seen. On Thursday there will be the Third Reading of the Land Drainage (Scotland) Bill and a Royal Commission to give the Royal Assent to such measures as have passed, before the Adjournment.

I thought probably it would be for the convenience of your Lordships if we adjourned on the 11th. There is no urgent business for the days of the following week, and. it makes a much better break if we get away on Thursday of next week. I propose to ask your Lordslhips to return to work on April 30, which 1 think is the same day as is intended in another place. I have not yet got any business for that day, and I am sure there will be nothing very contentious, though there may be some formal business. On Wednesday, May 1, there is a Motion in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Davies, with regard to Geneva and the Covenant of the League of Nations. I have not got the details of the business on Thursday the 2nd on Tuesday the 7th.

On Wednesday, May 8, I am proposing to put down a Motion to present a loyal Address of congratulation to His Majesty on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee, and on Thursday, May 9, as your Lordships may have seen in the public Press, Addresses from this House and from another place are to be presented to His Majesty in Westminster Hall. I cannot give your Lordships very full details about that arrangement at present. Inquiries have been made of every member of your Lordships' House as to whether or not he desires to be present on that occasion, and space is of course being reserved for all those who have intimated their intention of coming. So far as I can understand at present, it will be necessary for us to meet probably at eleven o'clock on Thursday, May 9, and we shall then proceed in procession, headed by my noble and learned friend on the Woolsack, to Westminster Hall, and there we shall find the House of Commons already assembled, and I think His Majesty is due to arrive at twelve o'clock.

LORD PONSONBY OF SHULBBEDE

I am much obliged to the noble Viscount.