§ MR. H. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)Will the First Lord of the Treasury kindly say at what time he proposes to take the Tithe Bill on Monday? As there is likely to be considerable discussion, would it not be possible to put the Bill down as the first Order?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHI am afraid that it will not be possible to put it down as the first Order. We propose to take first the Board of Agriculture Bill, and then to take the Second Reading of the Irish Drainage Bills.
§ MR. D. CRAWFORD (Lanarkshire, N.E.)What are the intentions of the Government in regard to the Committee Stage of the two Scottish Bills?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHIt is intended to proceed with the Committee Stage of the Scotch Universities Bill on Tuesday, and we propose to take some other small Bills through the Committee Stage before going on with the Scotch Local Government Bill. When that Bill is reached it will be for the convenience of the House that it should be proceeded with from day to day.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLI wish to ask about the course of business for to day. Yesterday the First Lord of the Treasury declared that the course of business would be, first, the Army Estimates, then the Post Office Sites Bill, and finally, Class III. of the Civil Service Estimates. On the Paper of this morning, Classes V. and VI. are put down instead of Class III., and now we find that Classes III., V., and VI. were all to be taken. It was not fair to bring these important classes on without due notice.
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHBy an unfortunate printer's error, for which I hold in my pocket a most humble apology, Class III. was omitted from the Blue Paper. I gave Notice that Class III. would be taken, however, and I hope that, under the circumstances, no objection will be taken.
§ * MR. BRADLAUGHI wish to ask your ruling, Mr. Speaker, on this point. As Class III. is not on the Paper can it be taken this evening?
§ * Mr. SPEAKERPublic notice was given that Class III. would be taken, and I have to set that against the printer's omission.
§ * MR. BRADLAUGHThe Votes printed upon Blue Paper form the Notice sent to Members, and I understood you to rule, Sir, on a previous occasion that unless the Votes were printed on the Paper of the day they could not be taken. The ruling was in answer to an objection raised by the hon. Member for the College Division of Glasgow (Dr. Cameron).
§ MR. SPEAKERBut in this case public Notice was given, and it is for the House to decide whether Class III. shall be proceeded with or not.
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHPerhaps I may be allowed to say that the time has now arrived when the public business may be commenced at a quarter past three. Very little private business remains to be disposed of, and I propose that we shall proceed with public business at a quarter past three on Monday next.