Sitting of 14 June 1926

Preamble
The House met at a quarter past four of the clock, The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.

MONEY FROM RUSSIA.
LORD NEWTON LORD NEWTON had given Notice to ask if any communications had passed between His Majesty's Government and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics with reference to the money which has been sent into this country in aid of the coal strike, and if so, whether their purport can be stated. The noble Lord said: My Lords, I am extremely sorry that the House should have been brought together under false pretences, but I should like to explain that it was not my fault. When I put this Question on the Paper no objection was raised by anybody on behalf of the Government but, only an hour or two ago, I received a message asking me to put it off until Thursday next, when, I understand, a simultaneous statement will be made in both Houses.
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE EARL OF BALFOUR): My Lords, I am very grateful to my noble friend for having been courteous enough to postpone this Question. The House, I am sure, will appreciate that in the circumstances it would have been hardly appropriate for us to discuss the matter at this stage, not merely because there is to be a debate later in the House of Commons, but because the subject will probably come before His Majesty's Government on Wednesday next.

RE-ELECTION OF MINISTERS BILL.
Brought from the Commons; read 1a; to be printed; and to be read 2a on Tuesday, June 22.
HACKNEY BOROUGH COUNCIL BILL.
Returned from the Commons, with the Amendments, agreed to.
MYNYDDISLWYN URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL BILL.
Committee (which stands appointed for to-morrow) put off to Tuesday, June 22.
SHROPSHIRE, WORCESTERSHIRE, AND STAFFORDSHIRE ELECTRIC POWER BILL. [H.L.]
Report from the Select Committee, That the Committee had not proceeded with the consideration of the Bill, the opposition thereto having been withdrawn; read, and ordered to lie on the Table: The Orders made on the 3rd and the 24th of March last discharged, and Bill committed for Thursday next.

MEXBOROUGH AND SWINTON TRAM WAYS BILL. [H.L.]
The Order made on the 24th of March last appointing certain Lords the Select Committee to consider the Bill discharged.
Report from the Committee of Selection, That the Five Lords appointed a Select Committee on the Scottish Widows' Fund and Life Assurance Society Bill [H.L.] and other Bills do form the Select Committee for the consideration of the Mexborough and Swinton Tramways Bill [H.L.] read, and agreed to: All Petitions referred to the Committee, with leave to the petitioners praying to be heard by counsel against the Bill to be heard as desired, as also counsel for the Bill.

LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL (GENERAL POWERS) BILL. [H.L.]
  NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE CORPORATION BILL. [H.L.]
  Leave given to the Select Committee to adjourn over to-day.
BARNET DISTRICT GAS AND WATER BILL. [H.L.]
  HASTINGS CORPORATION BILL. [H.L.]
    MEXBOROUGH AND SWINTON TRAMWAYS BILL. [H.L.]
    Leave given to the Select Committee to adjourn over to-day.
BARNET DISTRICT GAS AND WATER BILL. [H.L.]
Leave given to the Select Committee to continue sitting in the absence of the Lord Cozens-Hardy.

ELLESMERE GAS ORDER, 1926.
Special Order proposed to be made on the application of the Urban District Council of Ellesmere:
Laid before the House (pursuant to Act) and referred to the Special Orders Committee.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH PROVISIONAL ORDERS CONFIRMATION (No. 3) BILL.
Committee to meet to-morrow.

MOTOR VEHICLES COMPULSORY INSURANCE BILL. [H.L.]
Second Reading (which stands appointed for Thursday next) put off to Tuesday, June 22.
House adjourned at twenty minutes past four o'clock.