§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL (Paddington, S.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he was aware that, although this week was now at a close, neither the Navy nor the Civil Service Estimates had yet been laid before the House; whether the period of the production of such Estimates was not much later this year than usual; and, whether the Government, expected the House to discuss Estimates of so elaborate a character unless a long interval was given between their publication and their being brought on?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)I am aware that there has been delay, and I regret it exceedingly. It is duo to the fact, I believe, that an attempt is being made to give to the House much more accurate information than has been given hitherto in connection with the Naval Estimates. I think my noble Friend will find that a sufficient interval will elapse after the presentation of the Estimates before the House is asked to vote any money on that account. I will inquire further as to the cause of the delay.
§ SIR EDWARD REED (Cardiff)said, that if the re-arrangement of these Estimates this year would involve such a large departure from previous years, they would require more than the usual time to consider them before they were taken.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, he had the impression that they would be produced in such a form that there would be no difficulty whatever in the matter of comparison. The difference would be that much more information would be afforded than formerly.