HL Deb 23 January 1957 vol 201 cc39-40

2.47 p.m.

LORD MERTHYR

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask the Leader of the House whether, when any proceedings in this House stand adjourned till the following day, and owing to the length of the sitting it has not been possible to publish and circulate the OFFICIAL REPORT in full next morning, the unpublished part of the Report may be made available in the Printed Paper Office not later than 1.0 p.m. on the day following such proceedings.]

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)

My Lords, I fully appreciate the force of the point made in the noble Lord's Question. So far as this House is concerned, it would seem comparatively easy of solution, for the occasions on which the special machinery would have to be brought into operation would be relatively few: I understand, indeed, that there were only three such occasions last Session. But up to now the same procedure has been followed in both Houses, and account would have to be taken of the effect of any change here on the position in another place, where the situation to which the noble Lord's Question refers arises much more frequently than it does here. Perhaps the noble Lord will be content if I refer his proposal to your Lordships' Offices Committee for their consideration and report.

LORD MERTHYR

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Marquess for the reply which he has just given, and entirely to agree with the suggestion which he let fall.