§ 2.46 p.m.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, with reference to the Business of the House to-day, may I say that, as your Lordships know, as a matter of convenience we arranged that we should proceed with the debate on the economic situation and thereafter deal with the Committee stage of the Clean Air Bill. The economic situation has proved a rather more popular subject than the Government, and perhaps anyone else, thought likely. To-day we are to have eleven speeches upon it. I do not know whether the noble Viscount, Lord. Alexander of Hillsborough, will agree, but I think we should finish the debate on the economic situation and then see how far we can get with the Committee stage of the Clean Air Bill, without any desire to sit late or any wish on the Government's part to finish it. I understand that the right reverend Prelate the Lord Bishop of Sheffield will be unable to get here on another day, so I think it would be convenient if we could manage to get as far as Clause 8 to-day.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I have only just been notified of this matter and therefore have not had much time to think about it. I think it is quite right that we should see how long we take over the debate on the economic situation. We do not want to sit too late, but if it is at all possible we should like to get through all the Amendments to the Clean Air Bill. It would be a convenience to one or two of my noble friends who 191 are interested in the Amendments and who would find it difficult to be here on another occasion if we could do that—that is unless we can come to some agreement about the next occasion on which to continue the consideration of this Bill. I have not heard yet of any such agreement.
THE EARL OF HOMEPerhaps we can see how we go on, and then, through the usual channels, make arrangements.