§ MR. ROBERTSON (Dundee)I should like to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can give us any information with respect to the business of the Grand Committee on Trade? About a month since we received the usual notice, but as yet no business has been sent to the Committee. I should like to know whether it is the intention of the Government to send any Bills to that Committee; and, if so, what Bills will be sent?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have had the subject in my mind, and if the hon. Gentleman will put a notice on the paper I will make inquiries. I think, 1673 however, that I may say that no Bill of any importance will be sent to the Committee on Trade this Session. It may, perhaps, be convenient if I give notice that at the commencement of business to-morrow I shall move a Resolution having for its effect that the Grand Committee on Law do report the Clergy Discipline (Immorality) Bill by the 31st inst.
§ MR. TIMOTHY HEALYI should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he could not defer that Motion to some day not taken up by such an important Bill as the Electors' Qualification and Registration Bill, to which everyone has been looking forward. Could he not make his Motion on Thursday?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe business on Thursday is even more important than the business on Wednesday. I have no reason to believe that it will take very long, and it will leave ample time for an abstract discussion. I think, on the whole, it would be better to take it to-morrow than on Thursday.
§ MR. TIMOTHY HEALYWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether he intends to move the Closure to-night at ten minutes to seven?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. WEBB (Waterford, W.)Can the right hon. Gentleman say anything with respect to the Irish Education Bill?
§ MR. BAUMANN (Camberwell, Peckham)Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to proceed with the Ordnance Factory Vote this Session, or will the Vote on Account cover it?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir. The Vote on Account is for Civil Service Estimates only, whereas the Ordnance Vote comes under the Army Estimates. In answer to the hon. Member for Waterford, I cannot mention a day for the Second Reading of the Irish Education Bill, but I hope it will not be long before we are able to take it.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think it can be taken before Monday.
§ SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will say whether the Government intend to support the Motion if made for Adjournment over 1674 the Derby Day, or whether they intend to sit?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThis is an independent Motion in which the Government, as a Government, take no part one way or the other. I myself shall vote for the Adjournment.