HC Deb 20 August 1895 vol 36 cc388-9
* SIR CHARLES DILKE

asked whether the Leader of the House could take the Foreign Office vote first to-morrow, as it would be for the convenience of hon. Gentlemen, seeing that a good many questions would arise upon it.

MR. J. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman could give the House some general statement as to the course of business, and would say when he proposed to take up the Irish Estimates.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I think it would be inconvenient in some respects if the discussion on the Foreign Office Vote were delayed until a late hour. I will consider the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion that the Vote shall be taken at an early hour, and I will communicate our decision on the point to him in the course of the evening, with the view to meet the convenience of hon. Members in all parts of the House. ("Hear, hear!") With regard to what has fallen from the hon. Member for Mayo, I can make no statement to him until we see what progress we are making in Supply.

MR. DILLON

asked whether it was proposed to take the Votes in the order in which they were set down on the Notice Paper for that day, or whether it was intended by the Government to make any further changes in the order of Supply. ["Hear, hear!"]

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

It is the intention of the Government to take them in the order in which they appear on the Paper, but, as I said before, there is no iron arrangement.

MR. T. M. HEALY

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would indicate whether he would sit that night till a late and uncertain hour. Yesterday the right hon. Gentleman was understood to say that the House should not sit till a late hour, yet it did so.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I am aware that the hon. and learned Gentleman and I do not agree in viewing a "late and uncertain hour" in the same way. [Cheers.] I did not mean, and I did not think, yesterday, that we were going to sit so late as we were compelled to do, by circumstances well known to the hon. and learned Member himself. [Cheers and laughter]. I hope we may be able to make good progress to-night without again making such undue calls upon the health and energies of Members. ["Hear, hear!"]