§ 3.22 p.m.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, at a convenient moment after 3.30 this afternoon my noble friend Lord Gowrie will, with the leave of the House, repeat a Statement that is to be made in another place on the coal industry.
It may also be for the convenience of your Lordships if I announce that dinner will be available this evening at the usual time. It is proposed that the Committee stage of the Wildlife and Countryside Bill should be adjourned at approximately 7 o'clock for approximately three-quarters of an hour and the Report stage of the Deep Sea Mining (Temporary Provisions) Bill will be taken during this adjournment.
For the benefit of those Members of the House who may not have been present yesterday when I made a business Statement on the Wildlife and Countryside Bill, and in case it should have escaped their notice during their perusal of the Official Report this morning, it might be convenient if I repeat that the Government very much hope that it will be possible to complete the Committee stage today. As I said yesterday, I am sure that the whole House would welcome this. If in the course of the Committee this afternoon it should become clear that a Sitting tomorrow, Friday, 20th February, will be inevitable, I shall make a further business Statement to the House at or after the dinner adjournment.