§ 11.12 a.m.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, the House will be aware that we have set aside two days next week for the Second Reading of the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Bill. There is a very considerable number of speakers down for that debate, and the names are still coming in. I understand that it is the wish of the House that we should not go beyond eleven o'clock on the evening of Monday, and I also understand that it is the wish of the House that, if there is to be a Division, it should be taken at a reasonably early hour on Tuesday. In these circumstances, it seems fairly inevitable, in order that every Member of the House who wishes to speak should have the opportunity to do so, that the House should meet on Tuesday at 11 o'clock. A decision has not yet been made; but I think I should warn the House that it may be inevitable. If that is so, arrangements will be made for the House to be informed of this change and Members who will be down to speak on Tuesday will be informed by post or by telephone this evening.
§ VISCOUNT DILHORNEMy Lords, I am sure we are grateful to the noble Lord for the information he has given. I cannot speak for the whole House, but I should have thought it would be the wish of noble Lords, whatever point of view they take about this Bill, that, if there is to be a Division, it should be a very representative Division and should not take place at too late an hour on the Tuesday. I believe that that should be the governing consideration. I think also that the House, so far as I can judge, would not wish to sit until too late an hour on Monday night. I think we must leave it to the noble Lord to assess as best he can, taking into account all the observations made by the noble Lord, Lord Egremont, as to whether it 403 will be necessary to sit also on the Tuesday morning. I am sure we can leave it to him with the full confidence that he will do his best to arrange that a Division does not take place at too late an hour; and, secondly, that we should not be required to sit until too late on the Monday. If one cannot achieve both objectives, then we must sit on Tuesday morning; and so he it!
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble and learned Viscount for his support. What I will do, perhaps about three o'clock, is to consult through the usual channels, make them aware of the position and then make a decision. We will see that those noble Lords who will be down to speak on Tuesday are informed as quickly as possible of the change so that they can make the necessary arrangements.
LORD REAMy Lords, does the noble Lord anticipate that this decision will be reached today, so that noble Lords will know by tomorrow morning's post what the arrangements are?
§ LORD SHEPHERDWe will look at it at three o'clock this afternoon and will then make a decision.
§ VISCOUNT DILHORNEMy Lords, will the noble Lord take the opportunity of informing the House, so that the information will get into the national Press?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, if the House is still sitting.
§ EARL ATTLEEMy Lords, would it be convenient for noble Lords wishing to speak to indicate the length of their Speeches?