HC Deb 20 August 1894 vol 29 cc27-8
VISCOUNT CRANBORNE

Is it intended to take the Education Vote to-night? I understand that there is a very large amount of business in front of it, and that it is very unlikely to be reached.

SIR W. HARCOURT

My hope and expectation is that the Education Vote will be taken to-night. I see nothing on the Paper, and I have received no information to lead me to think it may not be reached at an early hour this evening; perhaps directly after dinner. If we have not that good fortune it will have to stand over.

VISCOUNT CRANBORNE

After what hour will it not be taken?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I cannot name any hour. We recognise the Vote as a most important one, which must have reasonable time for discussion.

DR. CLARK (Caithness)

Is it intended to take the Votes in the Order in which they stand on the Paper?

MR. R. WALLACE (Edinburgh, E.)

The Scotch Members understood on Friday that we were to take the Scotch Secretary's Vote first to-day, but if the Irish Votes are to precede it we shall have no chance.

SIR W. HARCOURT

I never heard of any arrangement except that the Votes should be taken in the order in which they stand.

MR. R. WALLACE

That seems to me very singular.

MR. TOMLINSON

In regard to the Education Vote, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that it shall come on at an hour when the Debate can be reported in the Press?

MR. WARNER (Somerset, N.)

I would ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill could not be taken on Friday in order to allow hon. Members to get away early on Saturday?

SIR W. HARCOURT

As to that, I need not tell the hon. Member it is not in my power to fix the time. It is only in the power of the House to fix a day for the termination of the Session, and I cannot press the House to take its business more rapidly than Members in all parts think advisable. What was contemplated was that we should take Committee of Supply to-day and to-morrow, and the Report of Supply on Wednesday. That would enable the Session to be concluded on Saturday. Of course, if the House were willing to take Report of Supply on Tuesday—to finish Committee to-day and to leave what Votes were over to be discussed on Report, we might finish on Friday, which perhaps would be the more convenient course; but we cannot press that upon the House if it does not desire it. On Wednesday it is intended to take the Lords' Amendments to the Scotch Local Government Bill. I do not know how much time that will occupy, but there will only be left a short period for the discussion of the Report of Supply if it takes much time. However, beyond the Education, the Irish and the Scotch Votes, there is very little likely to call for much discussion. It is, however, entirely for the House to determine what they wish in the matter.

MR. TOMLINSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I cannot give any undertaking on that subject. I can only repeat the hope that the Education Vote will come on at a reasonable time.

MR. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)

When will the Lords' Amendments to the Local Government (Scotland) Bill be circulated?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

To-morrow morning.

MR. SEYMOUR KEAY (Elgin and Nairn)

And the consideration of them will not be taken before Wednesday?

SIR W. HARCOURT

No.