§ 2.56 p.m.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ Moved, That, until the House rises for the Summer Recess, Standing Orders No. 35 (Arrangement of the Order Paper) and 41 (No two stages of a Bill to be taken on one day) be suspended, and that Government business do have, except with the consent of the Government, precedence over other business during the same period.—(Lord Shackleton.)
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I wonder whether the noble Lord, the Leader of the House, can tell us when the House is going to rise for the Summer Recess. Can he confirm or deny the rumours that we shall be sitting for one week after the House of Commons have gone to their summer holidays—and they will not even be sitting after lunch?
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I am not sure that that matter arises on this particular Motion. It is customary to announce simultaneously in both Houses the Recesses and the rising of Parliament. I think the noble Lord perhaps has a point in suggesting that if we are going to sit this length of time there is no need for us to make the simultaneous announcement. On the other hand, if we are going to sit later there is an argument that we should make the announcement later. I think it is possible, from internal evidence on the Order Paper, to see that we shall be sitting until the end of this month, assuming that those Orders are fulfilled. But it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the intentions of another place.
LORD SALTOUNMy Lords, could the noble Lord give us something a little 12 more definite, because we all have our arrangements to make, and it is very difficult, and sometimes very expensive, to make arrangements at the last moment.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I appreciate the importance of this matter to individual Members. I should not like to suggest that I am prepared to give personal advice to any noble Lord in difficulty, but clearly it is hoped that an early announcement will be made.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.