HL Deb 09 March 1967 vol 280 cc1540-2

3.17 p.m.

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD SHACKLETON)

My Lords, it might be for the convenience of the House if I made a business statement about the Easter Recess. Subject to the progress of business, it is hoped that the House will adjourn for the Easter Recess on Wednesday, March 22, and reassemble on Tuesday, April 4.

EARL ST. ALDWYN

My Lords, I am sure the House will be grateful to the noble Lord for that information. I wonder whether he can give the House any information about the Whitsun Recess. I understand that something was said a month ago in another place, but so far as I know nothing has been said in this House.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I do not doubt that the noble Earl has seen the statement of the Lord President. If it will help your Lordships, I will repeat it. He said: I have…stated the Government's intention to relate the Whitsun Recess to the secular holiday on 29th May"—[OFFICIAL REPORT, Commons, 9/2/67, col. 1830.] He then went on to say that he understood that it would be for the convenience of Members: if the adjournment were to be beamed backwards, that is from the secular to the Whitsun Holiday weekend. In this case, it would be possible if, as has happened before, the adjournment lasts for two weeks, to make it stretch between the two events". He further went on to say: I am sure that the House will understand that the outcome of this must depend upon the progress of business, and that there must be some time before a final decision is reached". My Lords, if I may add an additional translation, this means that Tuesday, May 30, is expected to be the end date of the Whitsun Recess, and that it will last for either ten days or two weeks and three days before that date, beamed backwards, depending on the progress of business in both Houses. Of course, it would not be usual to indicate so long in advance the length of the Whitsun Recess, but if it but this seems to me a quite is helpful I can at least clarify to the House the date of the end of the Whitsun Recess.

EARL ST. ALDWYN

My Lords, I am sure we are grateful to the noble Lord, extraordinary arrangement. It is one thing to make holiday plans when you know the date on which you are going away, and are able to adjust it as to when you come back. But that we know only the date on which we are to come back, and not when we can go away, seems to me to be the height of folly. Furthermore, having split the holiday from the Whitsuntide, presumably to spread the load of people travelling, why is it that the Government intend to encourage the whole of Parliament to return on the Bank Holiday itself, as will be necessary if Members are to be in their places the following day?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords I appreciate the moderation of the noble Earl's approach. I can only say that I have taken careful note of what he said

LORD MOLSON

My Lords, with regard to the "beaming backwards" of the Recess, can the noble Lord the Deputy Leader of the House say how far backwards the beams are likely to extend?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I thought I had explained that the beam could be as long as a fortnight, plus such additional days as would normally be added to a fortnight's Recess. The beam would go backwards a fortnight.

EARL ST. ALDWYN

My Lords, may I return to this question of the date when we reassemble? I should like the noble Lord to consider with his colleagues whether it would not be better for the House to reassemble on the Wednesday, so that people may travel back the day after the bank holiday rather than on it.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, perhaps I did not make it quite clear. I agree that we are using an unfamiliar technical phrase. The Recess could be of either ten days, or two weeks and three days, depending on business. This, of course, is what the noble Lord was objecting to; namely, that it is more helpful to know when the holiday begins than when it ends. On the noble Earl's final point, again I have taken a note of what he said.

LORD BYERS

My Lords, is it now accepted as part of Socialist planning that everything should be put into reverse?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I must say that I am disappointed at the lack of ingenuity that has been shown in the replies, but we can occasionally rely on the Liberals to step in and add to the merriment.

LORD SOMERS

My Lords, might I make one appeal to the noble Lord regarding the arrangements for Recesses? Many Members of this House have various engagements which they have to arrange in advance. It would be of great help if we could know a little earlier when we are going to be here and when not.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I will take note of the noble Lord's point. I will also discuss this with my noble friend the Chief Whip later. Unfortunately, he is in Bermuda at the moment, not on holiday but on business.