§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEI wish to ask the Government what Business it is proposed to take on Thursday and Monday next?
MR. GLADSTONESir, the majority of the House is aware that on Thursday my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will submit the Financial Statement. Informer times it has been usual to receive the Financial Statement and simply to put questions upon it, and to turn to some practical account the remainder of the evening. It is generally felt that that is a convenient course, as a subsequent day is always fixed for the consideration of the Statement. I am inclined to think that there will be a 1282 disposition to pursue that course in the present year, more especially as my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Mr. Rylands) has an important Motion to come on with regard to the Public Expenditure on the very next day. Therefore, I presume the right hon. Gentleman wishes to know how we intend to dispose of the residue of Thursday evening. The most urgent call upon us at the present moment is the Army (Annual) Bill, with which it will be desirable to go forward. If there should be further time at our disposal, we should take the second reading of the remaining Bills that have to be referred to Standing Committees. I am hardly in a position to say what will be done on Monday until I see what will become of these Bills on Thursday.