THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI wish to give notice that on Monday, March 12, I will call the attention of the House to so much of Her Majesty's gracious Speech as relates to the constituencies of counties and boroughs, and move for leave to bring in a Bill founded thereon. I may also state that the Returns which are in preparation for the information of the House, and which will amount to a volume of several hundred pages, are undergoing a final revision; but I cannot promise that they will be in the hands of Members till the end of next week, and possibly not until even the day after my statement. No time, however, shall be lost in placing them on the table.
VISCOUNT CRANBOURNEDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose that the Bill shall be read a first time before the statistics are in the hands of Members? If so, it will be in direct contradiction to the statement in the Queen's Speech.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am not aware of any such contradiction. My Motion will be for leave to bring in a Bill. After that Motion is granted it will be quite competent for any hon. Gentleman to raise the question as to the first reading of the Bill. ["No, no!"] I say it is perfectly competent to raise the question on the first reading. ["No!"] Well, then, Sir, I am in your hands.
§ MR. SPEAKERWhen a Bill is brought in it is at once read a first time.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERWhen it is brought in, then. I do not know what the noble Lord (Viscount Cranbourne) means when he speaks of a direct contradiction to Her Majesty's Speech. However, I will refer to the terms of Her Majesty's Speech, and then I shall be prepared to-morrow to answer that part of the Question.