HC Deb 12 June 1890 vol 345 cc726-7
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the interest felt in the subject, and the importance of its proposals, he will undertake that an opportunity will be afforded for reasonable discussion of the Savings Banks Bill, and can now mention a date for its Second Reading; whether he will now fix a day for the Second Reading of the Employers' Liability Bill; and whether he will now inform the House when the Government propose to afford it definite and regular opportunities of considering Supply?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I must refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in reply to a question of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Mid Lothian on the 10th inst. Then I stated that the Government felt it their duty to proceed from day to day with the Local Taxation Bill, and would make no arrangements with regard to public business until the Committee stage of that Bill was completed.

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)

Perhaps, as the right hon. Gentleman has inserted a condition in his answer—that it was intended to proceed day by day with the Local Taxation Bill, unless he had occasion to interrupt the proceedings on account of some measure of a public character; he also stated on the same day that he would be able to announce the intentions of the Government with respect to such a measure—he will permit me to ask whether he is able to make a statement, which is of great importance, as to the course of public business. I hope the right hon. Gentleman will lose no time in letting the House know what are the means to be taken with regard to the Bills before the House.

MR. W. H. SMITH

The right hon. Gentleman is perfectly accurate in stating that it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Local Taxation Bill, unless it is necessary to interpose a Motion with regard to public business. I am not in a position to give any notice of such a Motion. So soon as I am in a position to do so, I will avail myself of the first opportunity to make a statement, and I am sure I shall be favoured with the consideration of the right hon. Gentleman. Until then, I must defer my statement.

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE

I hope, also, independently of the question of any special measure, the right hon. Gentleman will bear in mind the time of year at which we have now arrived, and feel that it is becoming requisite speedily to announce the intentions of the Government as to their policy. This week I think it was understood we were to know.

MR. W. H. SMITH

The right hon. Gentleman is not so accurate as he usually is. I carefully guarded myself. I said that I hoped "in a few days" to be able to give the statement referred to by the right hon. Gentleman.

MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)

When is it intended to proceed with the Savings Bank Bill?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I think I have practically answered that. The Government intend to proceed with the Local Taxation Bill as far as they can. If the Bill referred to can be taken after 12, it would then be taken, but it cannot then be taken if it is desired to have a discussion upon it.