§ 3.32 p.m.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I think it would be for the convenience of the House if I intervened at this point to make a statement on the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Bill. It has just been announced in another place by my right honourable friend the Leader of the House of Commons that the Government have agreed to provide time on Tuesday, July 13, for the conclusion of the remaining stages of this Bill. If the Bill passes on that day it will be brought up and read a first time in your Lordships' House on Wednesday, July 14. I am sure that it would be the wish of this House to give time for consideration of this Bill, subject to the House being informed at an early date. Informal discussions lead me to believe that Monday, July 19, would be a suitable date for the Second Reading, which will be moved by my noble friend Lady Wootton of Abinger. If necessary, the debate will be continued on Tuesday, July 20, with the possibility of a morning sitting. It is proposed that the Committee stage should be taken on Tuesday, July 27, and Thursday, July 29.
The Committee stage of the Rent Bill, which had provisionally been arranged for Monday, July 19, will now take place on Thursday, July 22.
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I think that that arrangement is probably all right, so far as it goes. The Chief Whip will realise that this is a very tight programme indeed. We want to be as 1445 helpful as possible, but there are certain points beyond which I do not think we can go. May I ask the noble Lord, since he is talking about Business of the House, when he thinks the House will rise?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, the noble Lord the Leader of the Opposition is asking me to tread on very dangerous ground. I cannot possibly answer that question at the moment, but I will do so as soon as I am able. In regard to the tightness of Business, we appreciate this, and we will do our best to inform the House as early as possible of Business arrangements. We are having informal discussions with a number of noble Lords to take the sense of the House.
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I am grateful for what the noble Lord has said, again so far as it goes. The Government are in such a terrible muddle about their Business that it is difficult to know exactly where we are. They are certainly in a muddle in the House of Commons. There has been some speculation as to whether we shall be asked to sit after the House of Commons has risen. I should like to tell the noble Lord that that would be totally unacceptable to those of us who sit on these Benches. We will go a long way to help the noble Lord in his difficulties; but not so far as that. It will also be totally unacceptable if we are asked to come back before the House of Commons.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, there has been a great deal of speculation about this House. I think we should await events. I do not think there is any muddle here. Things are going very well indeed; and I hope they will continue to do so.