§ 2.35 p.m.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS (VISCOUNT ADDISON)My Lords, I have a short statement to make regarding some rearrangement of the business now down on the Order Paper for this afternoon and to-morrow (Tuesday). On the one hand, there are a considerable number of Amendments to the National Health Service (Scotland) Bill, the Committee stage of which is being taken this afternoon. That would mean that we should not reach until late in the sitting the Motion of the noble Viscount, Lord Bruce of Melbourne, on the Report of the Preparatory Commission on World Food Proposals. On the other hand, consultations concerning the Radioactive Substances Bill, which is down for Second Reading to-morrow afternoon, are still going on. His Majesty's Government desire to be in a position to proceed with this Bill as an agreed measure, and we are anxious for a little more time. We propose, therefore, pending further consideration, to postpone the Second Reading which was down for to-morrow. With these circumstances in view, I have suggested to the noble Viscount that both your Lordships' convenience and his own would be met if he were agreeable to postpone the debate on his Motion until to-morrow afternoon. The noble Viscount has consented to this course, and I hope that none of your Lordships will have been put to any inconvenience by the re-arrangement, which seems to be eminently desirable.
§ LORD WOOLTONMy Lords, I entirely agree, on behalf of those who sit on these Benches.