HL Deb 16 November 1939 vol 114 cc1833-5

Returned from the Commons, agreed to, with Amendments.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT CALDECOTE)

My Lords, I beg to move that the Commons Amendments be now considered.

Moved, That the Commons Amendments be now considered.—(The Lord Chancellor.)

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, perhaps I may be allowed to make a mild protest against our having to consider the Amendments to this Bill—which I agree are not of very great substance—and, in addition to that, having to take the most important Bill of which I believe the noble Lord, Lord Templemore, is going to move the Second Reading, the National Loans Bill, before the statement which the House expects to hear from His Majesty's Government. It means either that we keep noble Lords who come up to hear the statement waiting—and, after all, the statement on the war is the most important business of the week—or we have to cut short our discussion of a Bill which may be very important. The last occasion when we had a statement, a fortnight ago, the Prices of Goods Bill came in front of it, and the statement, on which my noble friend had some important observations to make, was not made until about half-past four. I do not know what the remedy is, but I suggest to the Leader of the House that it might be better if we could find some more convenient procedure so that the statement would come on about four o'clock, and at the same time noble Lords would be able to consider most important matters that are put down in front of it.

EARL STANHOPE

I appreciate the remarks made by the noble Lord opposite, but, as he knows, it is rather difficult to arrange these matters, because it is not within the power of this House to arrange the business for both Houses of Parliament. We have to consider what occurs in another place, and therefore I am afraid that sometimes it does happen that the statement has to be made on a day for which already other business of importance is on the Order Paper. I do not think that on this occasion there will be very much cause of complaint, because, although the Bill we are now to consider is an important one, I doubt if discussion on it is likely to be very prolonged, because I understand that there is general agreement with the principle of the measure at any rate. Therefore I do not think the statement is likely to be deferred to a late hour of the evening. I hope your Lordships will find that you are not put to any very serious inconvenience.

LORD STRABOLGI

Would it not be possible, when there is an important Bill on a day when a statement is to be made, to put it down later on the Order Paper?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, I do not want to intervene between the noble Lord and the Government as to the National Loans Bill, but as regards this Order which is now before your Lordships, that is, for the consideration of the Commons Amendments, I think with a Lords Bill it is the practice of your Lordships' House always to take that first, the moment it arrives in the House. It would be a great change of procedure if it had to be postponed until after the other Orders of the day.

On Question, Motion agreed to.