BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 2 June 1938)

§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (EARL STANHOPE)
My Lords, I beg to move the Motion which stands in my name.

LORD STRABOLGI
My Lords, in the absence of my noble friend Lord Snell, I would like to enter a protest—a mild protest, but nevertheless a protest—against the state of the Order Paper to-day, which necessitates the Motion just moved by the Leader of the House. My noble friend Lord Olivier has a very important Motion on the Paper, which has twice been put off for the convenience of Ministers, Lord Horder has a very important Bill down, Lord Amulree has also a very 841 important Bill on the Paper, and other Orders are of substance. It means that my noble friend's Motion will come on late, after a Royal Commission at six o'clock. Business is rather crowded, I know, at this time of the Session, and it is difficult to arrange, but I would request His Majesty's Government to endeavour to arrange their business in a way more convenient to noble Lords.

§ EARL STANHOPE
My Lords, I am extremely sorry, because I did ask Lord Olivier to put off his Motion to a day other than that for which it was originally down, and I suggested alternative days. When I suggested to-day I hoped that it would be a clear day. As your Lordships see, the Order Paper has got filled up subsequently. That was not my fault, and I only hope that the Bills on the Paper, although of considerable importance, will not take up much time in this House, and that the Motion of Lord Olivier will therefore not come on very late. I apologise to him for what has happened. We have planned out our work from the beginning of last month and during the whole of this month, but, as your Lordships know, it is very difficult to arrange matters satisfactorily, because things come up from another place and one never knows how long debates will take. The Coal Bill, for instance, took a day more than was expected. I again apologise to the noble Lord, Lord Olivier.