HC Deb 23 August 1889 vol 340 cc259-62
MR. BRADLAUGH

Can the First Lord of the Treasury fix the day for taking the Indian Budget?

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

I can make no definite statement till Supply is concluded; but I hope to take the Indian Budget either on Monday or Tuesday—certainly not later than Tuesday.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

May I ask whether, looking at the fact that the Dublin Hospital Hoard Bill has not yet been distributed, the Government propose to deal with it this Session?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I believe that the Bill is in the Vote Office, and unless it is opposed by hon. Gentlemen opposite, I believe it will be possible to pass the Bill. Of course we are in the hands of the House, and at this period of the Session it will be impossible to pass anything that is seriously opposed.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

Perhaps I may be allowed to point out that the Bill cannot be read by people in Dublin before to morrow.

MR. SEXTON

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact, in the first place, that an engage- ment has been made to carry this Bill if possible; and, secondly, that the persons interested in it have had the principles and the details of it before them for several months?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I believe that the right hon. Gentleman is quite accurate. I hope there will be no opposition of the character to which I referred. I think that all interests are sufficiently considered and protected.

MR. W. M'ARTHUR) (Cornwall, Mid, St. Austell

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take the Western Australia Bill which is first on the Order Book for Monday?

MR. W. H. SMITH

No, Sir; it will certainly not be possible.

MR. PICTON (Leicester)

Has the right hon. Gentleman had time to consider the expression of opinion given by the Corporation of Manchester as to the Technical Instruction Bill. Does that make any difference in his intention as to the passing of the Bill?

LORD CRANBORNE (Lancashire N.E., Darwen)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that this representation has only been passed by a small Committee, and has been promptly disavowed by the corporation at large?

MR. W. H. SMITH

My time, unfortunately, is much occupied, and I have not been able to read the papers with that care which the hon. Member for Leicester (Mr. Picton) has bestowed upon them. I have not seen the representation to which he refers nor do I know anything as to the circumstances mentioned by the noble Lord. I believe that it is an undoubted fact that every authority on technical education in this House is in favour of the Bill, and the right hon. Gentleman on that Bench who had charge of education presses us to go forward with the Bill.

MR. HAYDEN

May I ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will undertake that the Suck Drainage Bill shall be introduced next Session?

MR. W. H. SMITH

No, Sir; we are not in a position to give any pledges with respect to next Session.

MR. SEXTON

Will the sitting to morrow be subject to the rules governing a Wednesday sitting? Is it intended to go on with Supply until it is closed? The right hon. Gentleman will probably bear in mind that the sittings of the House this week have been very heavy.

MR. W. H. SMITH

I am, of course, in the hands of the House. I think it will be allowed that I have hitherto endeavoured to meet the convenience of hon. Members on both sides of the House. I hope that it may be possible to close the Votes in Supply this evening and to take the Report of Supply tomorrow as the first Order of the Day. I do not wish to put any strain upon the health or endurance of hon. Members, but they will see that if we are not able to close Supply to-night the Session must be prolonged, and I hope that hon. Members will not be anxious to lengthen the Session in order to escape some little personal inconvenience to-night. The stage of Report will afford an opportunity for making any remarks which may be thought necessary on any point not threshed out this evening. I can only appeal to hon. Members to assist the Government and themselves by facilitating business in the way that I have indicated. With regard to the sitting to-morrow, my own belief is that the House will not sit beyond four or five o'clock. The Technical Instruction Bill will not be taken to-morrow. I may point out that if the House were to sit on Saturday under the application of the Wednesday rule, it would be possible for one or two Members to set at nought the general desire of the House by continuing discussion after half-past five o'clock, with the result of prolonging the Session by another day at least. These are the considerations which induced me to put upon the Paper the motion which stands in my name.

MR. SEXTON

My hon. Friends are most willing to respond to the appeal of the right hon. Gentleman. They wish, however, to initiate a discussion upon the recent action of the Irish Bishops with respect to the education question. I should therefore like to know whether an opportunity will be afforded them on the Second Heading of the Appropriation Bill if the question is not raised in Supply.

MR. W. H. SMITH

That, I think, would be a very fair arrangement. The right hon. Gentleman will have the opportunity which he desires on the Report of Supply to-morrow, as well as on the Second Beading of the Appro- priation Bill. I may point out that if any Votes in Supply are postponed until to-morrow, they can only be reported on Monday, and the Appropriation Bill will then have to be introduced on Monday, instead of to-morrow, with the result of prolonging the Session.