HC Deb 21 August 1894 vol 29 cc178-9
MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Order for the Report of Supply taken on the 17th instant is not given precedence on the Agenda Paper? Considerable interest attaches to that Order, for upon it the Vote for the expenses of the House of Lords can again be discussed. I wish to know whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer will consent to take the Report of Supply of the 17th instant first?

SIR W. HARCOURT

The Rule, no doubt, is that the Report of Votes passed in Committee of Supply shall be taken according to priority. According to that Rule, the Order "Supply [17th August] Report," ought to have precedence of the Order "Supply [18th August] Report." "Supply [20th August] Report," stands first on the Paper in accordance with the understanding that was arrived at that the Report of the Education Vote agreed to yesterday should be considered first. That understanding, I think, ought to be adhered to, but with that exception I am quite ready to accede to the hon. Member's wish, and for that purpose I beg to move— That the Order of the Day, Supply [18th August] Report, be deferred until after the Order of the Day, Supply [17th August] Report.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Order of the Day, Supply [18th August] Report, be deferred until after the Order of the Day, Supply [17th August] Report."—(The Chancellor of the Exchequer.)

MR. MOWBRAY (Lancashire, Prestwich)

Then why should not the Report of the 1st June have precedence?

SIR W. HARCOURT

The same question arises on the Diplomatic Vote in Supply of the 20th August.

MR. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN (Kent, Tunbridge)

Then why put it down at all?

SIR W. HARCOURT

reminded the hon. Member that when Supply of 1st June was taken it was intimated that a further Vote in connection with Uganda would subsequently be asked for, and that Vote was granted on the preceding night. The two Votes were practically one and the same, and the Debate on them could, therefore, be merged.