HC Deb 21 July 1890 vol 347 cc372-4
MR. SEXTON

When will the Amendments to the Local Taxation Bill be put down, and what is the business for tomorrow?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

The Government hope that the Amendments to the Local Taxation Bill will be in the hands of Members on Wednesday; they will be put on the Paper to-morrow. To-morrow further progress will be made with the Census Bill, the London County Council Bill, and afterwards the Army Votes. On Wednesday, the Post Office Votes will be taken first.

MR. T. M. HEALY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary whether he will place on the Paper his proposal with respect to the suspensory clauses relating to Ireland?

SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

When is it really intended to take the Local Taxation Bill?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

It is really impossible to do more than one thing at a time; but if the hon. Baronet gives me an assurance as to the progress of business for the next four or five days, I shall be able to state when the Local Taxation Bill will come on. I hope we shall be able to take it this week.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

. I think that the number of Amendments renders it doubtful whether the Government will be able to pass that part of the Bill which relates to new licences.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Will any notice be given to Irish Members as to the proposal with regard to Ireland.

SIR W. LAWSON

Is it to be understood that it is doubtful whether the Government will go on with the suspensory clauses?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I stated to the House that the clauses would not be proceeded with if they were opposed, and there are two or three pages of Amendments on the Paper.

SIR W. LAWSON

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean by opposition, amendment?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

Certainly; if amending takes the form of obstructing.

MR. F. STEVENSON

When will the Bill for the cession of Heligoland be taken?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I will state positively to-morrow whether the Heligoland Bill will be taken on Thursday, as I hope may be the case.

MR. ESSLEMONT

Can the right hon. Gentleman name a day for the Scotch Estimates?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I cannot say when the Scotch Estimates will be taken.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Yes. Nothing will be done with regard to Ireland, except by a preparatory measure, as in the case of England and Scotland. I believe there are a number of Amendments now down on the Paper which renders it very doubtful whether we shall be able to pass that part of the Bill preventing the new licences.

MR. DILLON

I want to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant whether he could not see his way to postponing Report of Supply until tomorrow evening, as there are some Members exceedingly anxious for a discussion on the Land Commission? Will the right hon. Gentleman adjourn Supply to-morrow night at about half-past 10, and take this discussion, which will occupy an hour and a half?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

If the hon. Member and his friends express a desire that we should adjourn Report until to-morrow night, we shall do so; but we could not undertake to interrupt pro- ceedings on the Army Estimates at half-past 10 o'clock.

MR. DILLON

It is of no use adjourning it until to-morrow unless you give a reasonable opportunity for discussion. Really, the Chief Secretary will not deny that we gave great facilities for getting through the Irish Votes last week. I could have talked this Vote out last Wednesday quite easily.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The hon. Gentleman is perfectly accurate in what he says with regard to his behaviour on Wednesday. He could easily have talked this out. If business can be got through by half-past 10, every opportunity will be afforded for the discussion which the hon. Gentleman desires.