§ SIR J. PEASE (Durham, Barnard Castle)I think it would be for the convenience of the House if the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House would give us some information with regard to the commencement and termination of the Easter Recess?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)I am well aware that it would be a great convenience to all of us if we could settle as soon as possible the date of separation and re-assembly for the Easter holidays. The hon. Baronet must admit that the Government have some cause to complain of the small amount of time which has been actually at their disposal during the days nominally given to them for the conduct of the Public Business of which they are in charge, and I cannot at the present moment give any definite answer to the hon. Baronet. Before I can do so, I must wait and see what progress is made this afternoon, and I will take the earliest opportunity of giving the information he asks for.
§ MR. HENEAGE (Great Grimsby)What is the business to be taken on Monday?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIn the first place, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will introduce his Budget, and after that we shall go on with the Small Holdings Bill Committee.
§ MR. MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to give notice that I shall, on Monday, ask the First Lord of the Treasury the following question——
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That is not in Order. The question should be put down on the Paper.
§ MR. BUCHANAN (Edinburgh, W.)Is it intended between now and Easter to proceed with any other Government Bills besides the Small Holdings Bill?
§ MR. THOMAS ELLIS (Merionethshire)I beg to ask, with reference to a promise of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, made three weeks ago, that he would almost immediately introduce a Bill to enable County Councils to make grants for inquiries into parochial charities, what meaning is to be placed on the words "almost immediately?"
§ MR. GOSCHENI shall, to-day, give notice to introduce it on Monday.
§ MR. BROADHURST (Nottingham, W.)Will the right hon. Gentleman be able, at the end of the Sitting, to give us the information as to the Easter Recess, or shall we have to wait till Monday for it?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI hope to be able to make a statement at the end of the Sitting, but I do not like to enter into any positive engagement on the subject. With regard to the question of the hon. Gentleman opposite, it is not proposed to proceed with any first class Government measures other than the Small Holdings Bill before Easter. I do not wish to exclude the smaller and less contentious measures, which we might have a chance of advancing a stage.
§ MR. BUCHANANIs the Private Bill Procedure Bill one of the first class measures?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI shall not take that.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYIs the Evidence in Criminal Cases Bill amongst the less contentious business? This Bill proposes to alter the law of England as it has existed for a thousand years—that a man shall not be compelled to give evidence which would criminate himself. I hope, in accordance with the promise of the Attorney General, that we shall not be asked to go into Committee on this Bill without ample notice.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt will be impossible to proceed with any first class Bills other than the Small Holdings Bill, and the Private Bill Procedure Bill will not be taken before Easter.
§ MR. SEXTONWill the right hon. Gentleman take the Second Reading Debate on the Irish Education Bill before Easter?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir; that will not be taken before Easter.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGE ( Carnarvon, &c.)Will the Clergy Discipline Bill be taken before Easter?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir.
§ MR. A. SUTHERLAND (Sutherland)Will the right hon. Gentleman try to take the Bill for the amendment of the Roads and Bridges (Scotland) Act before Easter?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have no doubt that is a very important measure, and I hope it may pass after 12 o'clock. I do not think it is in the slightest degree controversial; and, so far as I know, it is approved by all quarters of the House, and no obstacles will be placed in its way.
§ MR. D. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)When will the right hon. Gentleman move the appointment of the Committee on Financial Relations?
§ MR. GOSCHENI hope, immediately after Easter, to come to some arrangement with the Leader of the House whereby the Motion for the appointment of that Committee may be disposed of after a short debate.
§ MR. COXMay I ask the Chief Secretary whether he is likely to introduce the Irish Drainage Bill before Easter?
§ MR. JACKSONIf the hon. Gentleman refers to the Bill included in the Bills of last Session I think it is ready, and I hope to introduce it almost immediately.