HC Deb 12 March 1880 vol 251 cc918-9
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

intimated that the most convenient course for taking the discussion on the Budget Resolutions would be on the reading of the Probate Duty Bill, instead of on the second reading of the Budget Bill, as the alteration of the probate duty could not be discussed on the Budget Bill, but the general finance of the Government could be discussed on the Probate Duty Bill. He, therefore, proposed to put the Probate Bill down as the first Order on Monday. It would also be necessary to bring in a Bill to give effect to the proposed extinction of the Debt by altering the amount of £28,000,000 set apart for the payment of the Debt to £28,800,000.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, that as he spoke on the subject yesterday, he might, perhaps, be allowed to say now that he entirely agreed with what had fallen from the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

SIR HENRY JAMES

wished to know what was to be done with the Corrupt Practices Bill, and suggested that it should not be taken until Monday, as a good many of the legal Members, who were interested in the Bill, had gone away, under the impression that it would be postponed until then.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

consented to defer it until Monday.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

wished to know whether Scotland was to be left out of the Bill or not?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

pointed out that his hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General would move an Amendment to exclude Scotland from the operation of the clause as to the conveyance of voters.

MR. ONSLOW

wished to know whether there was any truth in the report that the House would not sit every day next week, as it would be convenient for hon. Members to know?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

, in reply, said, he should be glad if he knew himself. Of course, the Government would not ask the House to take the trouble of meeting if there was no important Business to go on with. But there was certain Business that must be got through before the Dissolution, and certainly it would be necessary to sit two or three days next week. The Government proposed to take Tuesday and Wednesday for Government Business, and whether they would get through their Business on Thursday or Friday he could not say; but it would be necessary to sit pretty near the end of the week in order to send up the Finance Bills to the Lords in time to enable the other House to discuss them.