§ 3.49 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, before the Committee stage of the Food and Drugs Amendment Bill is resumed, there is one rather urgent point concerning tomorrow's business which I should like to mention to your Lordships. Noble Lords will see that the first item on the Order Paper for to-morrow is the consideration of the Report from the Select Committee on Standing Orders of the House. I have received representations from a number of noble Lords that they have not been given quite enough time for the consideration of this Report, and that it has come forward too soon after our return to our duties. In consideration of 319 that fact I have made certain inquiries, and I am most grateful to the noble Viscount, Lord Alexander of Hillsborough, who has agreed on behalf of noble Lords opposite that we should postpone the discussion of this item until Thursday of next week. I think that will be for the convenience of the House, and I hope that all noble Lords will be in agreement with it.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, on behalf of my colleagues, I warmly concur in what the noble Marquess has said. I hope the procedure that was arranged will be followed; that is to say, that we have more or less a kind of Second Reading debate next week, and that any Amendments we should like to suggest will be put down afterwards.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYThe intention is that it shall be treated next week as it would have been treated to-morrow.