§ LORD AMMONMy Lords, before we proceed with the business on the Order Paper, may I detain the House for a moment in regard to the course of business immediately after the Recess? The concluding stages of the Exchange Control Bill are, I understand, being reached in another place to-day, so that we may expect to receive that Bill here immediately upon our return on January 21.
1136 It is desirable that proceedings on this measure should not be unduly delayed by the Recess; and we propose, therefore, to postpone the Committee stage of the Companies Bill from February 4 next until the following Tuesday, the 11th—a course which my noble and learned friend on the Woolsack, who is in charge of that Bill, is advised will be generally welcome to your Lordships and which will thus set free February 4 for the Second Reading of the Exchange Control Bill.
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONMy Lords, if I may say so, I think that this is a very convenient arrangement. It will give us more time to consider the Companies Bill.
§ LORD AMMONMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend the Leader of the House, I beg to move the Motion in his name on the Order Paper.
§ Moved, That Standing Orders Nos. XXI and XXXIX be considered in order to their being dispensed with for the purpose of giving precedence over the other Notices and Orders of the Day to the Committee stage of the Royal Marines Bill, and in order to take the Bill through its remaining stages.—(Lord Ammon.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.