§ 3.27 p.m.
§ EARL FORTESCUEMy Lords, I have a short statement to make in regard to Business next week. For the Life Peerages Bill thirty-five noble Lords have already put down their names to speak, and it has been arranged, through the usual channels, that on Tuesday we shall sit through dinner. We shall then continue the debate on Thursday probably beginning at 2 o'clock, by which means we hope to conclude the debate by dinnertime on that day.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am obliged to the noble Earl. So far as it went an hour or two ago, I thought that would meet the situation, but I certainly have no guarantee at the moment that thirty-five will be the total number of speakers, because I am sure that the names of noble Lords on this side of the House are not included in that list.
§ EARL FORTESCUEYes, they are.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMaybe one or two, but certainly not all who will want to speak. It may still be necessary for the usual channels to consult on any other extra sitting that may be necessary.
§ EARL FORTESCUEMy Lords, I agree with the noble Viscount that it may be necessary for us to sit through dinner on Thursday; but we shall see what happens.