§ 4.5 p.m.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (VISCOUNT SWINTON)My Lords, before we proceed to the business of the day, may I make a statement about the business next week? A very large number of noble Lords have given notice of their desire to speak on the Second Reading of the Transport Bill, and it so happens that a Motion which was on the Order Paper for Wednesday, February 25, has been withdrawn. If we were to attempt to get through the debate on Second Reading of the Transport Bill in two days, I think it would certainly mean sitting after dinner once, if not twice. As Wednesday has become a relatively free day, I have ascertained, after consultation through the usual channels, that it will be generally for the convenience of the House if the Transport Bill Second Reading debate is continued over three days—that is, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.