§ 7.19 p.m.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, with permission, I would make a short business Statement. The news from another place is still rather ominous and I can give the House no clearer indication of when we shall receive the Bill than I could at three o'clock. However, it seems to me from the debate in your Lordships' House, and also from my consultations and discussions outside the Chamber, that it is the will of your Lordships' House that this Bill should proceed as it has been introduced in another place. I therefore have a choice before me of moving that this House do now adjourn during pleasure for a series of occasions through the night, or to move the adjournment of the House to a certain hour to-morrow morning. My instinct is that it would be better and very much more in the interests of your Lordships' House if we were to decide to-night to adjourn until nine o'clock to-morrow morning, in which case I hope we shall be able to take the Bill—as I suspect at this moment we desire to do—formally. If, therefore, that suggestion meets with the agreement of your Lordships' House, 1569 I beg to move that this House do now adjourn until nine o'clock to-morrow morning.
§ LORD HAILSHAM OF SAINT MARY-LEBONEMy Lords, this comes as a bit of a surprise to me. However, I take it that the noble Lord has consulted my noble friend while I was sitting patiently on this Bench?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I should have liked very much to discuss this with the noble and learned Lord, but I have no desire to join the Bench 1570 opposite. I have discussed this arrangement with the noble Earl, Lord St. Aldwyn, and he concurs. I have no doubt that he would have preferred a later hour, but I do not want to prejudice in any way the Friday business in another place. Therefore, it is safer to adjourn until nine o'clock and not to the hour which the noble Earl had in mind. My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn until nine o'clock tomorrow morning.
§ Moved accordingly and, on Question, Motion agreed to.