HL Deb 08 May 1980 vol 408 cc1769-70
Lord SOAMES

My Lords, it may be for the convenience of the House if I make a Statement on the Government's intentions regarding the Bill on Iran which is being introduced in another place this afternoon.

Copies of the Bill should be available in the Printed Paper Office later today. It is expected that the Commons will complete their consideration of the Bill on Tuesday next. Depending on what time the Bill is brought from another place, it will receive a First Reading in your Lordships' House on either Tuesday evening or Wednesday. We would then hope to take it through Second Reading and the remaining stages in this House on Thursday next. In these circumstances, the Public Bill Office will accept amendments to the Bill on Wednesday next.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, the House will be grateful to the noble Lord the Leader of the House for that Statement. We in the Opposition find the proposed arrangements agreeable, although some of them are, of course, contingent upon the progress of business during the early part of the week.

Lord BYERS

My Lords, I should just like to say from these Benches that we find those arrangements perfectly acceptable.

Lord SOAMES

Thank you, my Lords.