§ MR. H. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)said, there were two Tithes Bills before the House, and he wished to ask the First Lord of the Treasury to consider whether it might not be expedient to press forward the less contentious measure of the two rather than to seek to carry both?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)said, he was sorry to put himself in opposition to the feelings of any hon. Members; 766 but he could add nothing to the statement he had already made.
§ MR. OSBORNE MORGAN (Denbighshire, E.)said, that as there was some misapprehension, would the right hon. Gentleman say whether he meant to put those two Bills through their various stages before the House rose?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI should be glad if that was done; but we will ask the House to take the second reading of the Tithe Rent Charge Bill, and the other will pass, as it is not contentious.
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Derby)asked, what Business would be taken on Thursday and Friday?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, it would be necessary to obtain a Money Vote this week. He intended to take a Vote for the Army and Navy Estimates on Thursday, and a Vote on Account of the Civil Service Estimates on Friday.
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTsaid, the Chancellor of the Exchequer had promised to proceed with the Excise Duties (Local Purposes) Bill during the present week. It would be convenient to know whether that promise would be kept?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, owing to the fact that they must have money for the Public Service, it would not be possible to bring forward the Bill this week. He might add that, in the event of the Members (Charges and Allegations) Bill not passing through Committee that evening, he should ask to-morrow for the postponement of the Twelve o'clock Rule.