§ 4.5 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (VISCOUNT ADDISON)My Lords, it may be for the convenience of the House for me to make a statement on the arrangements proposed for bringing the present Session to an end, and on the dates of future Sessions. It is expected that all outstanding business required before the end of the present Session will be disposed of by Friday, July 30, and that Parliament will be prorogued on that day. The Government intend to take steps to secure the passage of the Parliament Bill, if necessary under the procedure of the Parliament Act, 1911. To satisfy the conditions of that Act, it is proposed to hold in the Autumn a short Session in which the Parliament Bill will be brought forward for a second time. This Session will be opened by His Majesty on Tuesday, September 14 next, and will be for the sole purpose of considering the Parliament Bill in both Houses.
The number of Sitting days will naturally depend upon the time required 1222 for the debate on the Address, for any incidental business which may be necessary and for the consideration of the Parliament Bill in both Houses. If it is found that the necessary business can be dealt with in both Houses in the first two weeks of the Session, then the Adjournment will be proposed not later than Friday, September 24, until Monday, October 25, when it is expected that the Session will be brought to an end by Prorogation.
The Session of 1948–49 will, it is expected, be opened on Tuesday, October 26.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Viscount the Leader of the House for the information he has given us with regard to the Government's plans. I need not say that I am sorry—as no doubt he is—that the Government should have thought it necessary to embark upon this extra Session. We feel that the business might very properly have been concluded without that. But that is the Government's affair, not ours. At the same time, I would make one reservation. It is suggested in the statement that the business of the Session will be entirely confined to the Parliament Bill, and that that is the only matter which will arise on the King's Speech. But if Parliament is sitting, and should the situation require other matters to be raised, no doubt the Government will understand if they are raised.
§ VISCOUNT ADDISONI have no doubt that those matters will be dealt with in the usual way, when the time arrives.