§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, I am informed that in another place there is a Bill with regard to the Unemployment Assistance Regulations and the difficulties which have arisen with regard to their administration which it is a, matter of very great urgency in the interests of the unemployed to pass into law at the earliest possible moment. Already some payments last week were made without any statutory authority, and that is obviously not a state of affairs which it is desirable to repeat if it can be avoided. It is obviously impossible to ask your Lordships to pass a Bill without having seen it, but if, as I hope, they are able in another place to pass the Bill in sufficient time for it to be circulated with the Papers on Thursday morning, then I propose to ask your Lordships to allow me to move the suspension of the Standing Orders in order to pass the Bill through this House on Thursday afternoon, so that it may receive the Royal Assent either that evening or the following morning. I have caused some indication to be made through the proper channels, and I think that on the whole in a difficult situation that is the best arrangement that could be made.
LORD PONSONBY OF SHITLBREDEMy Lords, I am obliged to the Leader of the House for informing us of what will be done with this Bill. Although on the Second Reading stage I may have some remarks to make on it, we on this side of the House do not desire in any way to prevent its rapid passage through all its stages on Thursday afternoon.
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
§ House resumed.