HC Deb 17 September 1886 vol 309 cc787-8
MR. JOHN MORLEY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)

I think it will be convenient if the noble Lord the Chancellor of the Exchequer will communicate to the House the intentions of the Government with regard to the course of Public Business.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL) (Paddington, S.)

I cannot, of course, say, with anything approaching to certainty, whether it is possible or not for the House to conclude this evening the work in connection with the Estimates. That is a matter which rests entirely with the House, and over which the Government have no control. If that was done, then the Government would ask the House to meet to-morrow for the purpose of receiving Report of Supply, Report of Ways and Means, and of allowing the Appropriation Bill to be introduced and read a first time. In that event, we should propose to set aside Monday for the discussion of the Bill of the hon. Member for the City of Cork (Mr. Parnell). In the event of Supply not being concluded to-night, we shall be compelled, much against our will, to ask the House to submit to the somewhat disagreeable necessity of proceeding with Supply to-morrow, and of making some extra special efforts to close the Committee of Supply to-morrow. In the event of Committee of Supply not closing to-night, but closing to-morrow, we shall take Report of Supply as the first Order on Monday, Report of Ways and Means as the second Order, the introduction and first reading of the Appropriation Bill as the third Order, and we shall place on the Order Paper the Bill of the hon. Member for the City of Cork. That is, as far as the Government can sketch, the course of Public Business, and I hope it will be agreeable to the House.

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

asked whether, in the event of the first reading of the Appropriation Bill being taken to-morrow, and Monday being given to the hon. Member for the City of Cork, the Appropriation Bill would also be put down for second reading on Monday?

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Yes.

In reply to Sir GEORGE CAMPBELL,

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

said, that the hon. Member would be able to raise on Report to-morrow the questions that he did not consider adequately dealt with that night.