§ 2.54 p.m.
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, it may be for the convenience of your Lordships if, with the leave of the House, I make a further Statement about the remainder of this week's business. In addition to the business which I announced yesterday, and which is now on the Order Paper, it has been agreed through the usual channels that the following items of business should be taken during the remainder of this week. The following items will be taken after the business already on the Order Paper for Thursday, 12th May: all stages of the Importation of Milk Bill; consideration of Commons amendments to the Dentists Bill [H.L.]; consideration of Commons amendments to the Mental Health (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill [H.L.]; all stages of the Education (Fees and Awards) Bill; all stages of the Local Authorities (Expenditure Powers) Bill.
After the business already on the Order Paper for Friday: all stages of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill; all stages of the Finance Bill; consideration of Commons amendments to the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Bill [H.L.]; Motions for approval of the Northern Ireland Act 1974 (Interim Period Extension) Order; and the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 (Continuance) Order. In addition, it is possible that the remaining stages of three consolidation Bills may be taken tomorrow.
Dinner will be available at 7.30 p.m. tonight, as is usual on a Tuesday. It has been agreed through the usual channels that dinner will not be available on Thursday.
§ Lord WigoderMy Lords, two queries, if I may. First of all, on the assumption that none of the political parties will wish to meet this Thursday in order to discuss next week's now non-existent business, is there any reason why we should not sit at 2.30 this Thursday rather than at three o'clock? Secondly, could we have offical confirmation that the Data Protection Bill [H.L.] will not now reappear in this House in this Session?
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, I was not aware that there were to be no party meetings this Thursday, but perhaps we could discuss the time for Thursday through the usual channels. I hope that your Lordships will take it that if there is no further announcement it will be at three o'clock, as it is at the moment on the Order Paper. I understand that the Data Protection Bill [H.L.] will not now return during this Session to your Lordships' House.
§ Lord Ross of MarnockMy Lords, can the Minister assure us that amendments, say, to the Scottish mental health Bill, which I gather was still in Committee at a middling stage this morning in another place, will be readily available so that we can see the cost to the Government of the generosity of the Opposition in allowing this to go through?
§ Lord DenhamMy Lords, I think that full discussions have taken place in the usual channels in another place as to exactly what business should proceed in the two Houses this week. I cannot give the 423 noble Lord, Lord Ross of Marnock, any information now about the availability of amendments, but I am sure that they will be available in some form for him to see and consider.