HC Deb 11 August 1893 vol 16 cc15-6
MR. TOMLINSON (Preston)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if the money already granted for this year's Naval expenditure, £5,024,000, will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the Service beyond the l5th August; and, if so, how long beyond that date; and will he put the Estimates down for consideration in ample time to allow a full discussion, and avoid having to prefer or claim urgency for the Votes on the grounds of the necessities of the Service?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

So far as can be foreseen, our present resources will carry us beyond the time, when we hope to proceed, as I have today announced, with Navy Estimates. Whether the "ample time for full discussion" desired by my hon. Friend will then remain depends mainly upon him and other Members of the Opposition, and on the amount of time which they may expend on the business that has to be dealt with before the Navy Estimates are reached.

MR. TOMLINSON

Then are we to understand that adequate discussion upon one part of the business of the nation is to depend on the time taken up by other important business?

*SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

I take it that that is always the case in the House of Commons.

SIR J. GORST

I understood the right hon. Gentleman to say the Navy Estimates are to be taken immediately after the Irish Bill. Now he indicates that other Government business may be interposed. What does he mean?

*SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

The business to which I referred was the Government of Ireland Bill.