§ 2.38 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords. before we start the Business of the Day, your Lordships will no doubt wish to know what arrangements the Government are proposing for these emergency meetings of the House. A large number of your Lordships; have notified y our intention of speaking in the debate on the Suez Canal situation, which will extend over to-clay and tomorrow. We expect to rise at about 7 o'clock each day.
Noble Lords opposite have already, I understand, given notice of their wish to debate the situation in Cyprus. We have arranged, therefore, to meet on Friday morning at 11 o'clock. There will be no adjournment for luncheon, and we shall hope to conclude these emergency Sittings at about 4 o'clock on Friday afternoon, when we shall adjourn once more until Tuesday, October 23. The arrangements for a further recall, of course, if this should become necessary, are governed by the Sessional Standing Order which can always he invoked.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, I would ask permission to ask a Question of Her Majesty's Government by Private Notice. The Question is as follows: Whether, before to-morrow's debate, they will issue a statement showing the method by which the Government controls the British financial interest in the Suez Canal Company, the terms of the contract with the pilots, any communications from the company concerning their 630 relation to the now Authority, and, in particular, any money offers made to them.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I hope very much that the noble Viscount, Lord Stansgate, will understand if I arrange for his Question to be answered by one of the Government speakers during the debate. I received notice of his Question only shortly before luncheon, and of course it requires careful consideration and careful inquiry. I can assure the noble Viscount that I will see that his points are considered and dealt with in the, debate.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEI am extremely grateful to the noble Marquess. I took this unusual course only because I was anxious that before to-morrow exact information should be in the possession of the House.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYWe will tell the noble Viscount anything we can.