HC Deb 15 August 1887 vol 319 cc493-5
MR. CHILDERS (Edinburgh, S.)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he could state when the Allotments Bill would be taken in Committee?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

said, that the right hon. Gentleman was aware that the Government were under certain engagements in regard to certain other measures, and especially that the Coal Mines, &c. Regulation Bill should be passed through Committee before any other Business was dealt with. After that he had entered into an engagement with the right hon. Gentleman himself that the Diplomatic Vote should be taken, and then would follow the consideration of the Irish Land Law Bill on Thursday and also the Irish Votes. He was unable, therefore, to say when progress would be made with the Allotments Bill; but he hoped that it would not long be delayed.

MR. CHILDERS

asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman would undertake to give, at any rate, two days' Notice when it would be taken?

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, he was afraid that at that period of the Session he could not give two days' Notice; but he would give as much Notice as he could. The right hon. Gentleman would see that on the 15th of August it was impossible to give as much Notice as he would be delighted to give at another period.

MR. E. ROBERTSON (Dundee),

in consequence of what happened on Friday, when two Bills of considerable Constitutional importance were read a second time before they were delivered to Members, asked whether the Government intended to proceed with any Bills other than those already introduced into the House; and, if so, whether care would be taken that an interval of two or three days at least should elapse between their being circulated and the time fixed for second reading?

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, he was unable to agree with the hon. and learned Member that the Bills which he had referred to were proceeded with before they were circulated. The Chairman of Committees and hon. Friends behind him would bear him out in stating the fact that the Bills were circulated, although the hon. and learned Gentleman might not have received copies of them. He could not undertake that, under no circumstances, should a Bill of minor importance be proceeded with within two or three days after it was delivered. At this period of that Session no general engagement could be given as to the progress of Business; but certainly no Bill of primary importance would be proceeded with until it had been circulated and considered by hon. Members.

MR. E. ROBERTSON

said, the right hon. Gentleman had not met his point— that the Bills were not circulated before being read a second time. Was it not the fact that in the Votes distributed to Members to-day the Bills were returned as being distributed on Saturday, the second reading having been taken on the previous night?

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, he had not looked at the Votes sufficiently to confirm the statement of the hon. and learned Gentleman.

MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

asked, when the Indian Budget would be brought forward?

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, that for the reasons already given he could not say; but it would be taken on the earliest possible day.

MR. BRADLAUGH

Can the right hon. Gentleman say it will not be taken this week?

MR. W. H. SMITH

It certainly will not be taken this week.

In reply to Mr. H. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden),

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, that he could not make any definite statement as to the Tithe Rent-Charge Bill.

MR. CHILDERS

When will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I hope on Thursday I shall be able to make a statement as to this Bill.

MR. CHILDERS

And other Bills?

MR. W. H. SMITH

Yes; and other Bills.