§ MR. CHILDERS (Edinburgh, S.)asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intended to introduce his Budget?
§ *MR. G. J. GOSCHENOn Monday, the 15th.
§ MR. MUNRO FERGUSON, (Leith)asked when the Scotch Local Government Bill was likely to be before the House; and whether the Government would consider the expediency of referring it to a Committee of Scotch Members?
§ MR. LEA (Londonderry, S.)asked if the First Lord was now able to name a day for carrying into effect the promise of the Government in regard to the subject of the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors in Ireland on Sunday?
§ MR. HERBERT GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)When are we likely to see the long-talked-of Tithes Bill?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHThere is a great demand on the part of hon. Gentlemen for legislation, which the Government will endeavour to satisfy as rapidly as possible. My right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate is about to give notice of some of the measures in regard to Scotland to which he is anxious the attention of the House should be directed. With regard to the Sunday Liquor Bill for Ireland I am not able to fix a day for its consideration, but the Government realize their obligations in the matter, and will certainly endeavour to carry out their engagement in regard to that question. I cannot name a day for the consideration of the Tithe Bill.
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONE (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)What will be the course of business on Government days next week?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHThe Government propose on Monday to proceed with the notices of my right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate, first of all disposing of the remaining stage—which I hope will be only a stage—of the Resolutions on Naval Defence. The remaining Resolutions are simply machinery for carrying into effect the Resolution about to be reported to the House, and if the House affirms that Resolution the Resolutions with regard to the machinery will, I hope, be agreed to. I do not believe there is any desire on the part of the House to delay the passing of those Resolutions. I will state to-morrow what business we propose to take on Thursday. Probably what I have already stated will be sufficient for the right hon. Gentleman's purpose at present. [Mr. Gladstone signified his assent.]
§ *MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONI beg to give notice that on Monday I shall move for leave to bring in Bills dealing with Local Government, Parochial Boards, and Private Bill Legislation relating to Scotland.
§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I would ask the right hon. Gentleman if 1600 he can name a day for resuming the adjourned debate on the poor in large towns? Many private Members are interested in the subject, which was debated for only four hours, and two and a-half hours out of that time were occupied by the Front Benches.
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHIt is not in my power to name a day for the resumption of this debate. The pressure of business precludes me from offering any Government time.
§ MR. WOODALL (Hanley)The right hon. Gentleman did not inform the House what day he proposes to submit his Motion for the adjournment for the holidays. The effect of the intimation he has given will be to confiscate the day I had secured for the discussion of the Women's Suffrage Motion, and as may be supposed I shall not be disposed to submit to this without a protest. But I suppose the proper time will be when the Motion for adjournment is submitted to the House?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHI will give notice on Monday of my intention, and will probably on the Friday make the Adjournment Motion at the commencement of business; but I say that with some reserve. I must call the hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that he has fixed his Resolution for a day upon which, with one exception, the House has not sat for 20 years.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)For the convenience of Members who have to go a long distance for a short holiday, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that no Irish Estimates shall be taken on Thursday next?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHI think I may safely give that undertaking.
§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)May I ask what is the nature of the responsibility under which the Government feel bound to provide for a discussion of the Irish Sunday Closing Bill; whether the right hon. Gentleman will give sufficient notice of his intention, and how soon after Easter?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHDue notice shall be given.
§ MR. MUNRO FERGUSONMay I ask how it is that Supply is not the first Order of the Day, Tuesday having been taken for Supply?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHThe Government gave no undertaking of that kind. We undertook to give an equivalent for 1601 the time taken on Tuesday, and this I have endeavoured to do. There is pressing necessity for taking the Report of the Naval Defence Resolution to-day.
§ MR. MUNRO FERGUSONWe have not had an answer as to considering the expediency of referring the Scotch Local Government Bill to a Committee of Scotch Members.
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHI can give no pledge of that character.
§ MR. D. CRAWFORD (Lanark, N. E.)Will the Scotch University Bill be taken before Easter?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHNot before Easter.
§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)I think I may be excused for pressing for some further answer in reference to the debate on the poor in large towns. It will be remembered that only four hours were occupied in that debate.
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHIt is out of my power to make time, and I am sorry to say I can give no further answer.
§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAMI am well aware of the right hon. Gentleman's inability to make time, but the question is of paramount importance, and I think half a day might be spared from other matters.
§ MR. P. J. POWER (Waterford, E.)It would be a convenience to Irish Members if the right hon. Gentleman would promise that no Irish business shall be taken on the Thursday and Friday after we re-assemble at Easter.
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHI will undertake not to proceed with any Irish Estimates next Thursday, and that ample notice shall be given of the business to be taken on the Thursday after the Recess. There is every desire to consult the convenience of Irish Members.