HL Deb 16 November 1939 vol 114 cc1859-60

4.55 p.m.

EARL STANHOPE

My Lords, perhaps before the House adjourns for a short period before the Royal Commission, it might be of advantage if I told your Lordships the course of business for next week. I propose that the House should meet at 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday, when the Restriction of Advertisement (War Risks Insurance) Bill, will be read a second time. I was in considerable difficulty with regard to Wednesday, and thought the noble Lord, Lord Strabolgi, would have cause for finding fault with the business before the House for that day, because that is the day on which the next Government statement is to be made next week and, as your Lordships know, there is a very important Motion on the Paper by the noble Lord, Lord Addison, on which there is likely to be considerable debate. I understand that he has been good enough to agree to postpone that Motion till the following Wednesday—the first Wednesday in the new Session. Therefore on Wednesday we shall have two introductions of right reverend Prelates, one of whom is the new Bishop of London. That will be followed at once, I think, by the statement. I propose that the House should meet at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday. On Thursday it is proposed that the House should meet at 12 noon for the transaction of business already on the paper—two questions by the noble Lord, Lord Newton—after which there will be a Royal Commission. It is expected that Parliament will be prorogued on Thursday next, and the new Session will be opened on the following Tuesday, November 28.

LORD STRABOLGI

What is the time for the new Session?

EARL STANHOPE

I cannot say yet, as I do not quite know what the procedure is to be. All I can say at present is that the times for next week are half-past three on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 12 noon on Thursday.

House adjourned during pleasure.

House resumed.