VISCOUNT CRANBORNEMy Lords, I beg leave to introduce the British North America Bill, and to move that it be read a first time. I think I should explain to your Lordships that this is a Bill, founded upon petition to His Majesty under the provisions of the Statute of Westminster, which His Majesty's Government in Canada have particularly requested His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to pass into law if possible before the Canadian Legislature rises for the Summer Recess on Saturday next, 24th July. I propose therefore, with your Lordships' consent, to take it as first business tomorrow, and to pass it through all its remaining stages in order that it may go down to another place at the earliest possible moment. I do not think your Lordships will find that there is any contentious matter in the bill whatsoever which merely provides for the postponement of redistribution in Canada pending the war.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 1a.— (Viscount Cranborne.)
§ On Question, Bill read 1a, and to be printed.