HC Deb 09 May 1887 vol 314 cc1276-8
THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I think I am under an engagement to right hon. Gentlemen opposite to state what the course of Public Business will be this week. We propose to continue the discussion of the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill until Thursday, and on Thursday to take as the first Order the Duke of Connaught's Leave Bill; and the Vote for the Abbey, for the funds necessary to celebrate the Jubliee Service, as the second Order. The third Order will be the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill, which, we hope, will be reached at an early hour.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL (Paddington, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman state when the Motion for referring the Army and Navy Estimates to a Parliamentary Committee will be made?

MR. W. H. SMITH

My noble Friend is aware that the Notice has been on the Paper for several weeks, if not months, and we have been exceedingly anxious to get it accepted without debate, as the condition of Public Business is such as to make it impossible to give an opportunity for debate. My noble Friend is aware that one of the conditions on which the Government put it down on the Paper was that it should be so accepted. But it has been blocked, and it has not been reached on any occasion before half past 12 since it has been put on the Paper. Under these circumstances, it rests with those Gentlemen who oppose the Motion, for reasons unknown to me, to take the steps necessary to enable it to be made, and the inquiry to be undertaken by a Committee, which the Government are most anxious should be done without any loss of time.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

May I ask whether we are to understand that Her Majesty's Government attach greater importance to getting the small sum of money necessary for the decoration of Westminster Abbey than to the far more important question of referring the Army and Navy Estimates to a Parliamentary Committee?

MR. W. H. SMITH

No; I do not attach more importance to that question; but I do also attach importance to the principle of not spending money until it has been voted by this House. It is a question with regard to the Jubilee, which the noble Lord will recognize ought not to be postponed. I should be very glad, indeed, if we reach that Motion before 8 o'clock on Thursday.

MR. CHILDERS (Edinburgh, S.)

I rise to make a suggestion to the right hon. Gentleman. It is, that after the Duke of Connaught's Leave Bill the Motion for a Parliamentary Committee on the Army and Navy Estimates should be the next Order, Supply will have already lost its privilege by not being the first order.

MR. W. H. SMITH

I will consider the suggestion.

MR. RATHBONE (Carnarvonshire, Arfon)

Do the Government intend to continue to take the private Members' nights on Tuesdays and Fridays?

MR. W. H. SMITH

Most certainly, until the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill is through.

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, with regard to the observation which has just fallen from him, that he objects to spending money before the money is voted, who is at present paying the workmen now employed in the Abbey?

[No reply.]