HL Deb 28 January 1948 vol 153 cc681-2

2.53 p.m.

LORD AMMON

My Lords, when the House rose last night, it was left to the usual channels to discuss the future course of business, and in particular the arrangements to be made when the adjourned debate on the Parliament Bill is resumed next Monday. I think it will make for clarity if I first deal with the arrangements which we propose should be adopted for the delate on the Second Reading of the Parliament Bill. We propose that the House should resume the debate on Monday next, when we shall meet at 2.30 p.m. It is recognized that in existing circumstances it is difficult for many of your Lordships to attend if the House sits after dinner, and we propose, therefore, that we should adjourn on Monday at about 7 o'clock and keep both Tuesday and Wednesday open for the purpose of this debate. That should give time for all who wish to take part and enable the Division to be taken, if there is one, on Wednesday, not later than 6.0 or 6.30 p.m.

To-morrow, Thursday, we expect to receive the Princess Elizabeth's and the Duke of Edinburgh's Annuities Bill from another place and to take the Second Reading stage of the Overseas Resources Development Bill, and the Committee stage of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Bill. The House will meet to-morrow, Thursday, at the usual hour of 4 p.m., and not at 2.30 p.m. as originally arranged when it was expected that the debate on the Parliament Bill would be continued this week. On Thursday of next week, February 5, we shall meet as usual at 4 p.m., when we propose to take the Royal Annuities Bill through all stages, and the Committee stage of the Overseas Resources Development Bill. We hope that your Lordships will find all these arrangements both convenient and agreeable.