HC Deb 05 August 1887 vol 318 cc1380-1
MR. W. E. GLADSTONE (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)

asked, What course would be taken as to the Allotments Bill, so as to allow adequate discussion of the Bill?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I am not able to indicate the precise day on which it is proposed to take the Allotments Bill; but, having regard to the views expressed by the light hon. Gentleman yesterday, I hope arrangements will be made to take the Bill in the course of next week at an early hour.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Derby)

Certainly not taken on Monday?

MR. W. H. SMITH

Certainly not on Monday.

In reply to Mr. BAUMANN (Camber-well, Peckham),

MR. W. H. SMITH

consented to postpone the Metropolitan Board of Works Money Bill until Monday, and to give Metropolitan Members an opportunity of discussing it at a reasonable hour, either on that day or on some later one.

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE

presumed it was the intention of the Government to proceed with the Report on the Irish Land Law Bill that night, and, if it should be necessary, to-morrow? It would be desirable to know, however, what Business would be taken next, in the event of the Irish Land Law Bill finishing that night, or at an early hour to-morrow?

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, that, if the Irish Land Law Bill were disposed of that night, it was not the intention of the Government to ask the House to sit on Saturday, as the labours of the House had been very severe lately, although he was afraid that the state of Supply and other urgent Business would render it necessary for the House to sit on the remaining Saturdays of the Session.

In reply to further Questions,

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, that on Monday the House would go into Committee of Supply on the Civil Service Estimates in the order in which they stood. He could not come to any ar- rangement to take the Irish Estimates in regular succession, and not mixed up as they were with, the English Estimates. He hoped the Irish Land Law Bill would he read a third time at the conclusion of the Report stage; it would be a reasonable, and not an unusual, course with a measure of that kind. The Post Office Savings Banks Bill would not be taken to-night. He was sorry he could not name a day for the Indian Budget. The taking of the Navy Estimates would depend upon the progress made with the Civil Service Estimates. He could not say whoa the Education Vote would be reached, looking to the progress required to be made with the Votes in the preceding Class.

MR. LEA (Londonderry, S.)

asked, when the Government intended to introduce the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill?

MR. W. H. SMITH

In a few days. It is not usual to introduce the Bill until there is reasonable hope that the end of the Session is in sight.

In reply to Mr. DILLON (Mayo, E.),

MR. W. H. SMITH

promised that he would try and arrange that the Irish Estimates should be brought on at a time which would suit the convenience of Irish Members.