HL Deb 13 July 1965 vol 268 cc105-7

Order of the Day read for the consideration of the Third and Fourth Reports from the Select Committee.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (LORD MERTHYR)

My Lords, I beg to move that the Fourth Report from the Select Committee be now considered. In rising to move this Motion, may I inform the House that I am not moving that the Third Report be now considered because I have been led to understand that several noble Lords wish to speak upon the Motion that the Third Report be agreed to; and in view of the state of your Lordships' Business to-day, I understand, further, that it would be convenient for such Motion to be taken on Thursday next. If, therefore, the House concurs, I beg to move only that the Fourth Report be now considered.

Moved, That the Fourth Report from the Select Committee be now considered.—(Lord Merthyr.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.

The Committee reported as follows:

1. PROCEDURE

The Committee have considered current proposals for changes in the procedure of the House, including those made in the course of the debate on Lord Alport's motion on 29th April, 1965, and have referred certain of them to a Sub-Committee which has been appointed to study the proposals and to report back to the Committee with recommendations.

2. PRINTING OF BILLS BROUGHT UP FROM THE COMMONS (STANDING ORDER 44A)

Standing Order 44A provides for the printing and circulation (in advance of First Reading) of Bills that are brought up from the Commons at a time when the House is not sitting. The Committee have considered whether the terms of the Standing Order should be widened in order to allow for the advance printing not only of Commons Bills, but also of Commons amendments to Lords Bills, and of Commons Reasons for disagreeing to Lords amendments etc. The Committee recommend that the Standing Order be amended by the addition of the following new paragraph:— Likewise, if a Public Bill is returned from the Commons with amendments, or Reasons, at a time when this House is not sitting, the Clerk of the Parliaments may, pursuant to this Standing Order, arrange for the printing and circulation of any such amendments and Reasons.

3. ARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS

(i) Ceremonial Addresses to the Crown

The Committee recommend that ceremonial Addresses to the Crown should be accorded the same precedence for the purposes of the arrangement of the Order Paper as Addresses of congratulations or sympathy to the Crown.

(ii) "Business of the House" Motions

The Committee recommend that motions of the kind moved by the Leader of the House on 2nd June last "That the Lord Chancellor do represent this House … in St. Paul's Cathedral …"shall be treated as "Business of the House" Motions and be given precedence on the Order Paper accordingly.

LORD MERTHYR

My Lords, I beg to move that this Report be agreed to.

Moved, That the Fourth Report from the Select Committee be agreed to.

On Question, Motion agreed to.—(Lord Merthyr.)