HC Deb 13 March 1890 vol 342 cc724-5
MR. E. ROBERTSON

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will now state for the convenience of the House on what day he proposes the House should adjourn for the Easter Recess?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I think it would be more convenient that that question should be postponed for a few days. The hon. Gentleman must see that the Adjournment depends upon the course of public business.

MR. DILLWYN

May I ask whether it is the intention of the Government to make any provison as to the Tithe Rent Charge Bill—whether it is intended to take the Bill before Easter?

MR. MUNDELLA

Is there any intention of proceeding with the Infant Life Protection Bill to-night?

* MR. W. H. SMITH

I do not expect that progress will be made to-night with the Infant Life Protection Bill. With regard to the Tithe Bill, the two next Government nights are appropriated for Supply, and therefore the Second Reading cannot be taken until after Thursday next. I hope, however, that it will be taken before Easter.

MR. COBB

Can the First Lord of the Treasury say whether the Second Reading of the Allotments Bill will be taken before Easter?

MR. W. H. SMITH

Certainly.

* SIR W. BARTTELOT

There is a little misunderstanding as to the statement my right hon. Friend has just made. Will ho state whether it is intended to take the Irish Land Purchase Bill before the Tithes Bill?

* MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I should like to know what arrangement the Government contemplates with regard to the Army Votes, because last year, under the ruling of the Chairman of Ways and Means, a considerable restraint was placed upon the discussion, and the old rule of a general discussion on the First Vote was departed from?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I have no authority over the rulings of the Chair, but T desire as far as I can to promote discussion on the Vote. I did not refer to the Irish Laud Bill in the statement I made, but it is the intention of the Government that that Bill should be introduced before Easter, and, so far as the introduction of the Bill is concerned, it will probably take precedence of the Tithes Bill, although I hope that Bill will be read a second time before Easter.

* MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I quite admit that the right hon. Gentleman cannot control the decision of the Chairman of Ways and Means, but he will agree that one night's discussion upon the Army and Navy Estimates respectively is quite insufficient. I should like to know how he proposes to enable us further to discuss the Estimates?

MR. W. H. SMITH

It is not uncommon for the Vote for men and money to be taken on the night on which the Army Estimates are introduced, and the interests of the service require that the Vote should be taken this evening.

SIR W. LAWSON

Will the Home Secretary say when the Report of the Sunday Closing Commission is likely to be presented?

MR. MATTHEWS

I was informed 10 or 12 days ago by the Chairman of the Commission that the Report would be presented immediately.

MR. BRADLAUGH

Will the right hon. Gentleman state when the Employers' Liability Bill will be circulated?

MR. MATTHEWS

I am not in a position to name a day.

MR. BRADLAUGH

I am speaking of the circulation of the Bill. The Second Reading is down for next week.