HC Deb 25 May 1891 vol 353 cc975-8
MR. J. LOWTHER (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

In regard to the Vote on Account, which is to be taken to-night, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman how many months it will cover?

MR. GOSCHEN

The amount asked for in the Vote on Account will, in accordance to precedent, cover two months. With regard to the discussion of the affairs of Manipur, I am not able, at this moment, to give any definite answer to the question of the right hon. Member for Derby (Sir W. Harcourt). If the right hon. Gentleman will repeat the question a day or two hence, I shall, I trust, be in a position to give him an answer. A good deal will depend upon the course which is taken in regard to the Newfoundland Bill. That must be proceeded with first. If the necessity for proceeding with that Bill is removed, the Government will be able to see their way to some arrangement for the discussion of the affairs of Manipur.

SIR W. HARCOURT

In reference to the Newfoundland Bill, I would suggest to the right hon. Gentleman that we ought to be placed at once in possession of the definite intentions of Her Majesty's Government. A good deal will depend upon the necessity of proceeding with that Bill or not. In regard to the affairs of Newfoundland, a matter of such great importance cannot be left in doubt as to when it is to come on. We ought to know at once the absolute day on which the Bill will be brought on. The question is one of immense importance, and ample notice should be given to hon. Members, so that there may be a full attendance.

MR. GOSCHEN

Without absolutely pledging myself, I think I may say that the Newfoundland Bill will come on on Thursday, the 28th, or not at all. Unless before Thursday a definite arrangement, satisfactory to all parties concerned, is come to, the Government will feel it their duty to proceed with the Bill. There has never been any doubt upon that point. We have always said that Thursday, the 28th, would be the day for proceeding with that Bill unless a satisfactory arrangement were come to. But that eventuality does not rest with Her Majesty's Government. Therefore, it is not possible to say what day may be set apart for the discussion of the affairs of Manipur.

MR. SEXTON

When is it proposed to take the Land Department (Ireland) Bill?

MR. GOSCHEN

I must ask the hon. Member to defer that question until my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury is in his place, as it is a question connected with the general policy of the Government.

MR. J. LOWTHER

Arising out of the answers of the right hon. Gentleman to the question which I put to him in reference to the Vote on Account, is the House to understand that the Govern- ment do not intend to put down operative Supply until the end of July?

MR. GOSCHEN

I am not in a position to say when Supply will be taken, but certainly it will be taken before the date to which the right hon. Gentleman alludes. We are obliged to ask now for a Vote on Account for two months, but I hope that Supply will be taken and finished long before that.

SIR W. HARCOURT

There has been a growing practice of late years to take Votes on Account for up to the end of the Session, and that is really the proposal now made. The fact that the Session commenced in November ought to be taken into consideration, and some reason ought to be given why one month will not be sufficient for the Vote on Account.

MR. J. LOWTHER

May I ask if the Government will limit the Vote to one month?

MR. JACKSON

The invariable practice has been followed in making the Vote on Account for two months. [Cries of "No."] Unquestionably it has been the practice to take Votes on Account for two months. The first Vote on Account was taken for two months, and also the second. The fact that 30 or 40 Votes have been taken makes no difference, as the Vote on Account must cover the whole of the remaining Votes. Of course, it is desirable to take Supply as early as possible, and the Government would only have been too glad to get the Votes, so as to have prevented the necessity for asking for a Vote on Account.

MR. J. W. LOWTHER

The right hon. Gentleman has omitted to notice the real point, namely, the backward state of Supply.

MR. H. H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)

Can the Chancellor of the Exchequer say when the Factories and Workshops Bill will be taken? I understand that it is to be taken on Thursday if the Newfoundland Bill is not taken, but will the right hon. Gentleman fix a day — if not now, at any rate to - morrow? The Bill will involve the attendance of a large number of Members who are not now in London, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield (Mr. Mundella), who is at present an invalid, is anxious to be present. Therefore, it is desirable that there should be ample notice, and I will ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will state positively to-morrow when the Bill will be taken?

MR. SEXTON

Will the Report stage of the Land Purchase Bill be taken on this day week?

MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

Will the Education Bill be taken before operative Supply or not?

MR. GOSCHEN

With regard to the last two questions, I cannot give an answer in the absence of the First Lord of the Treasury. With regard to the Factories and Workshops Bill, the Government will be glad to consider the suggestion which has been made. I can quite understand that it is inconvenient to have the matter left in doubt and uncertainty; and if a decision can be arrived at by to-morrow, I shall be glad to communicate it to the House. Whether it can be taken on Thursday will depend upon what is done with reference to the Newfoundland Bill. I think it would be a great pity to lose a convenient opportunity of making progress with this important measure.