§ Ordered, That Government Business have precedence this day of Notices of Motions and all other Orders of the Day; and that the Proceedings of the Committee of Ways and Means be not interrupted under any Standing Order regulating the Sittings of the House.—[The Prime Minister."]
§ Ordered, That this House do meet Tomorrow, at Twelve of the clock.—[The Prime Minister.]
1052§ Mr. BONAR LAWMay I ask the Prime Minister whether the Motion for the Adjournment of the House will be the First Order to-morrow?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes; the adjournment Motion will be taken first to-morrow. Afterwards we shall ask the House to give a Second Reading to two small and non-contentious Bills—the Public Offices (Sites) Bill and the Light Railways Bill.
Perhaps, at the same time, I may say I have considered what the right hon. Gentleman said the other day in regard to the resumption of business after Easter, and the Motion for Adjournment will be, "That the House, at its rising, do adjourn till Wednesday, April 10th," instead of to Tuesday, the 9th. That, I believe, is the general wish. The business on the resumption will be the Committee stage of the Army (Annual) Bill.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in regard to future stages of the Budget, what he proposes to do this year? It is customary to give the Chancellor of the Exchequer the necessary Resolutions on the First Reading with comparatively little discussion, on the general understanding between the two sides of the House that in the Committee, with the consent of the Chairman, discussion may be recommenced on another Resolution. Owing to the time at which the Budget is taken that particular course cannot be applied this year. Will, therefore, similar facilities be given at an early stage after Parliament reassembles for the general financial discussion to which the House is accustomed after the introduction of the Budget?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir; certainly the rule that has always been observed will be followed, that on the second night there should be what I may call a Second Reading discussion, not strictly confined to the terms of the Resolution. I would not like at the moment to commit myself to the exact date, but it will be as soon as possible.
Colonel WILLIAMSMay I ask the Prime Minister if in the business after Easter he will remember his promise to have a discussion on the Public Accounts Committee, and will he take the question of the New Committee on Estimates?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am anxious to bring on the Motion for the New 1053 Committee on Estimates as early as possible, and if I can combine the other matter with it I shall be glad.
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt will be put on the Paper.