HC Deb 30 July 1889 vol 338 cc1717-8
SIR W. HARCOURT (Derby)

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury if he can say what business will be taken on the ensuing days of this week after the Royal Grants Bill? I presume that the Royal Grants Bill will be the first Order.

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

I will endeavour, as far as I can, to give an answer to the right hon. Gentleman. Of course, he is aware that at this period of the Session it is difficult to say definitely what business the Government will ask the House to take; but after the Report of the Royal Grants Resolution to-night we propose to go on with the Light Railways (Ireland) Bill, the Scotch Universities Bill, and I trust that we shall be able to reach the Lunacy Acts Amendment Bill. I believe there is a strong desire on the part of hon. Members to dispose of that measure. To-morrow the House will, I trust, read the Royal Grants Bill a second time, and the Government then hope to proceed with the other business as it stands on the Paper. On Thursday I propose to follow the same course, taking Supply (Class 3) after the Orders of the Day either on Thursday or Friday.

SIR W. HARCOURT

I should like to know when the right hon. Gentleman proposes to take the Tithes Bill, and to proceed with the Motion for the discharge of the Order for the Second Beading of the Sugar Bounties Bill?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I can fix no date for the Motion relating to the Sugar Bounties Bill. I look upon that as a measure which is not very urgent.

SIR W. HARCOURT

I mean its funeral.

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I am afraid I cannot admit that the funeral of a measure is very urgent. The Bill may be an interesting object to right hon. Gentlemen opposite, and no doubt it is also an interesting object to the Government; but we prefer to press forward business which will require the serious attention of the House, and which must be dealt with in another place. I propose to take the Education Estimates, if possible, on Monday next, and the Irish Estimates on Tuesday, the Constabulary Vote being taken first. I trust it may be possible to deal with the Tithe Rent Charge Bill on Thursday in next week.