MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that no copy of the Army (Annual) Bill can be obtained in the Vote Office: and whether he proposes to ask the House to read a second time a Bill which it has never seen?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN,) Stirling, &c.I have ascertained that there are no copies to be obtained, but for the information of the hon. Member I may say—what the Chancellor of the Exchequer pointed out last night—that the Second Reading stage of the Army (Annual) Bill is exempt from the ordinary considerations. It is a stage which has never been opposed in this House, and I will repeat my promise of last night that the Committee stage will be put down after Easter. That is the proper occasion for making changes in the Bill, and on that stage the matter can be discussed. Copies of the Bill will, of course, he available for hon. Members before that.
* MR. GIBSON BOWLESInasmuch as the right hon. Gentleman proposes to ask us to read a second time a Bill we have not seen, will he undertake that the Committee stage shall not be taken after midnight, but at some hour when there may be adequate discussion?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANYes.