§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH (Bristol, W.)I should like to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to Order No. 3, the Light Railways Bill, whether he can afford some reasonable opportunity for the conclusion of the Debate upon that Bill. In explanation, perhaps I may say that the Bill has been brought on two nights in the Session, first at Half-past Eleven, and secondly at a Quarter-past Eleven: I think the right hon. Gentleman will agree that snatch Debates of that kind are hardly fair to those Members who take an interest in the Bill, and are not likely to promote its progress.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT, Derby)I think the right hon. Gentleman's observations are well founded, and I will take care that the Bill shall not be brought on again unless when we are able to afford a reasonable time for its further discussion. I was going to mention to the House that, as I stated previously, it is of great importance that the Seal Fisheries (North Pacific) Bill should be passed into law by both Houses of Parliament at the end of this month. I therefore propose, as I understand that some Gentlemen are desirous to make observations on it, that we should report in Supply to-night at Eleven o'clock so as to allow an hour for the Second Reading of this Bill, and I hope, therefore, that the Bill may be allowed then to proceed without further delay, as it is very urgent.
§ MR. T. GIBSON BOWLESasked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer was adhering to his promise made on the previous day to give a whole day for Supply, and whether it would not be very much better to put the Seal Fisheries Bill down as the First Order of the Day on Monday.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI do not think that that would be reasonable. As a great part of yesterday was devoted to Supply we shall have given two days to Supply this week, and considering the urgency of the public business we want to forward, I think it is reasonable to take an hour tonight, as we propose, from Supply.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHasked what would be the business next week, and on what day Supply would be taken.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, the business during next week would be mainly the Welsh Church Bill. He was not able to state then, but he would state on Monday. whether the day for Supply would be Thursday or Friday; there were reasons why it was doubtful which day would be fixed.
§ MR. ALPHEUS MORTON (Peterborough)asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would arrange to take the Report of the Uganda Vote at an early hour, so that the Members closured on Thursday night might have an opportunity of expressing their views.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EX CHEQUERI am afraid that the closure, carried all but unanimously last night, would prove to be a very useless operation if it were followed by giving a day, as suggested by the hon. Member.