§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, at a convenient moment after 3.30 this afternoon my noble friend Lord Lucas of Chilworth will, with the leave of the House, repeat a Statement that is to be made in another place on the organisation of public transport in London. This will be followed by a Statement on the European Community Steel Council meeting on 25th July which will be repeated by my noble friend Lord Belstead.
It may also be for the convenience of the House if I announce that dinner will be available at the usual time this evening of 7.30 p.m.
§ Lord Hatch of LusbyMy Lords, as the noble Lord is speaking on business, may I ask him a business question. Can he tell the House why the Statement by his right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday to the effect that he intends to sell the state's capital assets in order to finance the Government's current expenditure was not repeated in this House?
§ The Lord President of the Council (Viscount Whitelaw)My Lords, perhaps it would be appropriate for me to answer that Question. It was decided at a late time in the other place that this Statement should be repeated after representations from the Opposition Front Bench. I regret that by the time that was done there had been no arrangements made to repeat it here. Perhaps there should have been. If that is so, I take the responsibility for it. But it did come very late in time.