LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I have had a note from the noble Earl, Lord Listowel, in which he asked me to express his regrets to your Lordships that his military duties have prevented him from coming down to-day, and he has therefore had reluctantly to postpone until the next sitting his Motion relating to problems arising out of enemy attacks on Greater London. He trusts that no inconvenience has been caused to your Lordships.
§ LORD JESSELMy Lords, upon that, I think it is rather deplorable—though I quite admit that very good reason has been shown by the noble Lord on behalf of the Earl of Listowel—that this, which is perhaps an even more important subject than those that have been discussed to-day, should have been allowed to remain upon the Paper. Many Peers have come here, including Ministers, who are very busy people, to take part in this debate, which has been a fiasco. I think it is a great pity that this should happen, and it seems to me that something ought to be done in these cases to have an earlier notice. It not only affects private Peers; it concerns others with very important work to do.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I am sure that my noble friend Lord Listowel would be very distressed to hear what has fallen from the noble Lord. I quite appreciate his feeling, but may I respectfully suggest that there is nothing to prevent the noble Lord from raising, on the Adjournment, any matter he desires in relation to the siege of London? And I am sure that Ministers will be glad to reply.