HL Deb 02 March 1961 vol 229 cc230-1

3.17 p.m.

EARL ST. ALDWYN

My Lords, it may be for the convenience of the House if I take these two Business-of-the-House Motions together. It has been agreed through the usual channels that the debate on Central Africa should take place on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, and that the Defence debate should take place on Tuesday and Wednesday of the following week. For this purpose, it is necessary to advance the Motions standing in the name of the noble Earl, Lord Listowel, and my noble friend Lord Carrington. On behalf of my noble friend Lord Hailsham, I beg to move.

Moved, That leave be given to advance the motion standing in the name of the Earl of Listowel from Wednesday next to Tuesday next;

That leave be given to advance the motion standing in the name of the Lord Carrington from Wednesday the 15th instant to Tuesday the 14th instant.—(Earl St. Aldwyn.)

LORD SILKIN

My Lords, is it proposed to change the time of meeting on either Tuesday or Wednesday? If we are to finish at 7 o'clock—and many of us have made engagements on the assumption that we shall finish at 7—it might be necessary, in view of the large number of speakers, that we should meet earlier, as we did one day this week—yesterday, I think it was. Will the noble Earl consider that?

EARL ST. ALDWYN

I will certainly consider it when we see the final list of speakers. The House met early yesterday because of the Introductions, in order not to delay the discussion of the House. That was the reason for that.

On Question, Motions agreed to.