MR. PHILIPPS (Lanark, Mid)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can now fix a time for taking the Scotch Estimates, and whether, seeing that the Votes in Class III. were taken at the very end of last Session, the Government will now put them down for consideration; and whether it is the intention of the Government to have a Saturday Sitting for that purpose?
§ * THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, WestminsterI can give no other answer than that which I have already given, that the Scotch Estimates cannot be taken until the other business for which we have arranged has been disposed of.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)When will the Foreign Office Vote be taken?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHThe Foreign Office Vote will be taken after the Post Office Estimates, and after that probably the Scotch Votes.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)Is it proposed that the House shall sit next Saturday?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHThat question has not yet been finally determined. I desire to consult the convenience of the Members and Officers of the House as much as possible in the matter; and if it is necessary to ask the House to meet on Saturday, I am sure that hon. Members will be glad to make the sacrifice.
§ MR. SEXTONWill the Government be able to give a more direct reply to the question on Thursday?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHI hope so.
§ MR BRADLAUGH (Northampton)Will the Indian Councils Bill be taken to-morrow.
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHNo, Sir.