§ 2.50 p.m.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask a Question of which I have given Private Notice. The House may be glad of the assurance that I have had the permission of the noble Lord, the Leader of the House, to put it. The Question is as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will invoke the reserve powers under the Government of Ireland Act 1920 to order an inquiry into the disturbances at Londonderry on Saturday, October 5, 1968.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, with the leave of the House I will answer this Question at a convenient time after 3.30 p.m.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, may I ask the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack why we are not to get the Answer to this Question until after 3.30 p.m., since another place is not sitting?
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, the reason is that the notice was very short. It is an important Act, the number of amendments to the Government of Ireland Act is considerable and there has not been time to give full consideration to the matter.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, in view of my noble and learned friend's remark, may I ask whether he is aware that I gave notice of this Question very early this morning and that any delay has not been on my part?
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I quite accept that; but, as my noble friend knows, this is initially a matter for my right honourable friend the Home Secretary, and, as we know, my noble friend Lord Stonham is not in a position to reply.