Sitting of 29 September 1938

Preamble
The House met at three of the clock, The EARL OF LUCAN on the Woolsack.

CLEARING OFFICE (RUMANIA) AMENDMENT No. 2 ORDER, 1938.
Order, dated 9th September, 1938, made by the Treasury under Sections 1 and 3 of the Debts Clearing Offices and Import Restrictions Act, 1934:
Laid before the House (pursuant to Act) for affirmative Resolution and referred to the Special Orders Committee.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (EARL STANHOPE): My Lords, when I made a statement yesterday to the House as regards the proposed course of business, I was of course unaware of the information given in the concluding sentences of the speech of the Prime Minister in another place yesterday afternoon. As your Lordships know, that information was only put into his hands in the course of his speech. I feel that in the new circumstances your Lordships would not desire to have a debate to-day on international affairs. Perhaps I might say one thing further. Indeed, I am quite sure, speaking on behalf of every member of your Lordships' House, I can say with what earnest hopes and prayers we trust that, under the guidance of Almighty God, those four statesmen who at this very moment are meeting in Munich may be guided to a settlement which will be just and lasting in its effects, and that our own Prime Minister, who has made such tremendous and unceasing efforts to preserve the peace, may have those efforts crowned with success.
LORD SNELL: My Lords, I very cordially support the plea that this House should not debate this matter to-day. It is in every way advisable that we should wait in silence and in hope.
THE MARQUESS OF CREWE: My Lords, I merely desire to join with the noble Lord who leads the Opposition in complete concurrence with the noble Earl

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who leads the House in the opinion that any further debate on international affairs at this moment would be altogether out of place. I join also with the noble Earl in expressing the most cordial hopes and aspirations for the success of the meeting which, as he said, is being carried on at this moment. At the same time I should desire to pay tribute to the Prime Minister for the courage and persistence which he has shown in conducting affairs on behalf of this country.
EARL STANHOPE: My Lords, of course it is impossible at this moment for His Majesty's Government to say
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when they will be in a position to make a further statement, but I suggest that the House should adjourn now until Monday, and should then meet at three o'clock. Of course it may still again only be a formal sitting, but I think that would be the most convenient day on which this House should reassemble, and then we can see what is the course of events. If your Lordships agree I will now move that the House should adjourn until Monday next at three o'clock.
Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.
House adjourned at eight minutes past three o'clock.