HC Deb 13 March 1884 vol 285 cc1372-3
MR. E. H PAGET

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, with reference to the progress of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill, he will now undertake to proceed with the Second Reading of that measure immediately after the present necessities of Supply have been disposed of, and before taking a further stage of the Representation of the People Bill?

MR. W. H. SMITH

asked whether the Report of Supply would be taken after 12.30?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON,

in reply, said, he was sorry that the Government had not been able to make any arrangement with the hon. Member for Salford (Mr. Arthur Arnold) for the withdrawal of the block against the second reading of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill, and that not was not, therefore, possible to make the arrangements which they had hoped to effect on Monday. But in the absence of the Prime Minister, whom he had not been able to see to-day, he could not answer the hon. Member's question. He would endeavour to do so to-morrow. With regard to the Business of that evening, it would be necessary, if possible, to complete the discussion of the Supplementary Estimates. If the Report of Supply should, unfortunately, have to be postponed, the Government would put it down for to-morrow.

MR. CHAPLIN

said, that he would ask a Question bearing upon the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill to-morrow; and he hoped by that time the noble Marquess would have seen the Prime Minister, and would be able to give an answer.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

Perhaps the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be able to answer now a Question of which I have not given him Notice—whether he can tell us if he intends to introduce the Budget before Easter or after?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GUILDERS)

I am not quite certain whether I can give an answer now, as I have not been able to communicate with my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury for the last two or three days. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put the Question some day next week.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

I will repeat the Question on Monday.