§ MR. BERESFORD HOPEasked, Whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer was prepared to state the course of Business for the next fortnight, and when the Easter Recess would commence?
§ MR. HANKEYalso asked the right hon. Gentleman, Whether there would be any inconvenience to the Government in commencing Business at a quarter past 4 o'clock?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, I propose, as it is at present rather early in the Session to talk of commencing Business at a quarter past 4, to defer my answer to the Question asked by the hon. Gentleman who has just sat down. With regard to the course of Business for the next fortnight, I do not know that I am in a position absolutely to foretell what the House may do. The present intention of the Government is to take Supply on Thursday next, and on Monday we hope to proceed with the Committee on the Prisons Bill. I am not able to say what length of time the House may take for that Business; but if we shall have succeeded in disposing of that Bill on Monday, the Universities Bill, which stands next in order, will come on; but I do not like to forecast too much. Now, with respect to the Recess, as I stated the other day, something will depend upon the progress of our financial Bills; but if we make the reasonable progress with them that we anticipate, I hope the House may be able to adjourn on Tuesday, the 27th instant, in Passion Week, until Thursday, the 5th of April. I trust the House will not object, in that case, to give facilities for proceeding with the Business which the Government desire to dispose of 1764 before the Adjournment for the Easter Recess.
§ LORD ESLINGTONasked, Whether it was the intention of the Government to proceed with the Maritime Contracts Bill before: Easter? He believed there was considerable objection on the part of hon. Members to the referring of that important Bill to a Select Committee without an adequate debate upon it.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, with regard to the Maritime Contracts Bill, I am sorry to find that there is not so much probability of its speedily passing the second reading as I had at one time anticipated; but, of course, if it is thought desirable to have a discussion upon it, we must arrange to fix the second reading for a time when the Bill may be fully considered. Whether that can be done before Easter or not, I am not in a position to say.
§ In reply to Mr. BERESFORD HOPE,
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, the Easter holiday which he had indicated certainly was longer than a week, and he hoped that at Whitsuntide the House would be able to take a longer holiday.
§ SIR JOSEPH M'KENNAasked the hon. Gentleman the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the Valuation of Property (Ireland) Bill would be taken before Easter?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI hope to be able to take the second reading of that Bill, but it will depend upon the feelings of the Irish Members.