§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the Government a Question of which I have given Private Notice; namely, whether they will make a Statement upon the Prime Minister's recent visit to America, and also upon the latest situation in the Middle East?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, with permission, my noble friend the Leader of the House will reply to that Private Notice Question by way of a Statement at about 3.30 p.m. this afternoon.
Perhaps I may take this opportunity to make a brief business Statement in regard to to-day's business. It is hoped that we shall take the Committee stage of the Criminal Justice Bill until about 10.30 to-night, with an adjournment for dinner at 7.30 p.m. In view of the possible need to provide a day for a debate on the Middle East situation, I am naturally anxious that we should make good progress on the Criminal Justice Bill this afternoon. However, it has been put to me that Clauses 30, 31, 32 and 33, which relate to suspended sentences and are considered an important part of the Bill, should not be taken late this evening. Should we reach those clauses tonight, I therefore intend, if the House agrees, to move a Motion that consideration of those clauses be postponed until Thursday of this week.