EARL ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, subject to the progress of Business, it is proposed that the House should rise for the Christmas Adjournment on Thursday, December 20, until Tuesday, January 22.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, when the noble Earl says "subject to Business" does he mean that if the Business is got through expeditiously we may rise on the 19th?
EARL ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, I cannot guarantee that, but if Business should be concluded in time, and if the various Bills which are to receive the Royal Assent before the House rises were completed and ready for the Royal Commission, it might be possible.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHThis is a supplementary question. Noble friends of mine ask why Business is transferred from December 19 to 20 on the Paper. May we be told why?
EARL ST. ALDWYNPerhaps the noble Viscount will tell me what particular Business he had in mind. Was he referring to the Motion on Central Africa in the name of the noble Earl, Lord Listowel?
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHI have no note with me.
§ LORD WISEMy Lords, may I interrupt? The British Transport Reorganisation (Compensation to Employees) Regulations, 1962, were on the Paper to be considered on the 19th. Now they are down for the 20th.
EARL ST. ALDWYNThat item is moved forward. That is not unusual. We cannot move Business back without a Resolution of the House, but it is perfectly in order to move it forward. It will be more convenient for the House to take it upon that day.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHI think that explains my supplementary question number one and that was: did what the noble Earl said to the House mean that if we were expeditious in our Business we should rise on the 19th? That is what I was asking.