§ 5.49 p.m.
§ Lord WaddingtonMy Lords, it might be for the convenience of the House if I make a short business statement. In accordance with the wishes of the House, the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Bill has been the subject of discussion through the usual channels. As a result of these discussions we have decided that, in spite of the inconvenience this may cause to some noble Lords, it is better, on balance, to revert to the original plan and take the Second Reading a week on Friday.
I wish to add that I thought my original proposal would be to the convenience of most noble Lords who had wished to take part in discussions and that it was right to fill an apparent gap in tomorrow's business. Those were the only considerations I had in mind. However, there are obviously many in this House who feel it is better to keep to the original programme. I am quite content that we should now take that course.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, we on this side of the House warmly welcome the Statement which the noble Lord the Leader of the House has just made. We strongly believe that the rearrangement of Business is very much in the long-term interests of this House.
§ Lord Jenkins of HillheadMy Lords, we on these Benches are also grateful to the noble Lord the Leader of the House for responding to the expressions of view that have been heard all around the House this afternoon. Of course there are inconvenient aspects to dealing with Scottish business on a Friday. There are inconvenient aspects to taking Scottish business at 36 hours' notice. However, the important matter that the noble Lord has recognised is that it is much better to do these things by agreement.