HC Deb 16 May 1899 vol 71 cc750-1
MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I wish to supplement the answer I gave yesterday as to the proposed course of business. On. Friday I propose to take the Customs mid Inland Revenue Vote in Committee of Supply, and Class 7, Votes for temporary commissions and for miscellaneous expenses, and in Class 2 Vote 17 and the following Votes. On Thursday, June 1, the first Government night after the House reassembles after the holidays, I propose to take the remaining Revenue Votes, including the Post Office, and to put down Class 6, non-effective and charitable services, and I have chosen these because I hope may consider them non-controversial. On June 2 1 shall ask the Committee to take the Local Government Board Vote and after that Vote 11 and remaining Votes. It might be convenient to Members to have a discussion of the Foreign Office Vote at no very distant date, and unless sufficient reason is shown against it, I shall ask the Committee to take that Vote on June 9, and I trust that will relieve hon. gentlemen from the necessity of raising Foreign Office questions on that rather inconvenient opportunity supplied by the motion for adjournment on Friday.

SIR H. H. FOWLER

Is it to be understood that it is the intention to actually take the Foreign Office Vote On June 2? The House has always been unwilling to part with control of that Vote, until late in the session, for the passing of the Vote precludes discussion on foreign affairs.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I thing that earlier in the session the right hon. Gentleman reproached me for allowing Votes to go over from day to day, and I agree with him that it is generally an inconvenient practice; but perhaps an exception should be made with the Foreign Office Vote, which stands in a rather special position. I will engage either not to ask the Committee to come to a decision on the Vote on June 9, or I will keep the Report over so as to allow the opportunity for dealing with Foreign Office subjects, should the House so desire, before the end of the session.

MR. DILLON

I suppose I may take it that no Irish Votes will be taken?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

In the programme I have sketched there is no intention to take Irish Votes.

SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

At what period of the session does the right hon. Gentleman propose to bring on the Vote for Lord Kitchener?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not think it will be long after the Whitsuntide holidays, certainly not before. It might be convenient for mo to make a statement on Friday, and I shall be prepared to do so.

MR. LAMBERT (Devon, South Molton)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can give any date when the Agricultural Holdings Bill will be introduced.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, sir; I cannot mention any date.