§ MR. G. J. GOSCHEN (St. George's, Hanover Square)May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a question with regard to financial business? To-morrow the Resolution is put down with regard to beer and spirits. Then, perhaps, the right hon. Gentleman will say when he proposes to take the Second Reading of the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill. The right hon. Gentleman will remember that we, at his request, allowed him to take the first Resolution the other day, and I presume that on the Finance Bill there would be an understanding that we should be allowed freely to debate the Budget as a whole, without being restricted to the particular points in the Bill then under discussion. I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will see the reasonableness of that suggestion, which, I think, is in accordance with general precedent.
§ MR. H. SETON-KARR (St. Helens)asked when the right hon. Gentleman proposed to take the Coal Mines Regulation Bill?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUKRDue notice will be given before that Bill is taken. With reference to the Resolution to-morrow, after it is 819 passed of course I shall introduce the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill. I will then endeavour to state the day—one day next week—on which that Bill is to he taken. With reference to the discussion on the Second Reading of the Bill, of course I have no particular desire to restrict discussion, but I have no means and no power to make that in order which is not in order. It does not lie in my hands at all to determine that. I have no desire to avoid discussion, but the Government must abide by the Rule of the House.
§ MR. GOSCHENBut I understand that, so far as the right hon. Gentleman is concerned, there will be no desire to interpose in that free discussion. Other wise we should be in this position, that we could never grant a Minister a Resolution on the first night, because we should lose our opportunity. It was out of deference to the right hon. Gentleman, and as a convenience to him, that we forewent our opportunity, and brought the discussion to a close on the first night, so that I hope the right hon. Gentleman will support us in securing, as far as he can, a discussion of the Budget Resolutions.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUEROh, certainly. As to that point there cannot be the smallest doubt, because the matters on which the Resolutions are taken are always included in the Bill. We never take a Resolution except for a matter which is in the Bill, and, therefore, on the Second Reading of the Bill everything dealt with in the Resolution will be in order.
§ MR. GOSCHENThat is not exactly the point. The right hon. Gentleman in his Budget Speech dealt with a great many matters not in the Resolutions. If, then, we do not deal with these matters on the Resolutions on the same evening, it would appear that we should lose the ordinary opportunity of reviewing the Budget as a whole. It is in order that we should not be bound down specially to the matters contained in the Resolution, but may comment on the financial policy of the Government as a whole, that I raise the point. Otherwise it would be necessary—and I am sure that would be very undesirable—that Amendments should be moved which would give the opportunity for such a discussion. But perhaps the right hon. 820 Gentleman will see in what way we can have that general discussion which has taken place every year.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am quite sure the right hon. Gentleman will find I have not the smallest desire to shut out any discussion on the general financial proposals of the Government.
§ MR. BRODRICK (Surrey, Guildford)asked the right hon. Gentleman, with reference to the pledge he gave the House two months ago, that on an early day he would put up Army Estimates in order to allow of a general discussion, when he expected to be able to fulfil that undertaking.
§ MR. R. W. HANBURYasked when the right hon. Gentleman really intended to give the House an opportunity of voting the ordinary Service Estimates.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERPerhaps the hon. Member will give me a little time. I am rather in hopes of being able to make proposals to the House which may have the effect of giving more time for the continuous discussion of Supply. I have always felt very strongly the disadvantage and, in fact, the impropriety of postponing Supply to the end of the Session; and if we could make some arrangement by which there was a regular weekly consideration of Supply, I think it would be a very great advantage in our proceedings. I will take means of consulting Gentlemen on both sides of the House in reference to the matter, with the view of giving effect to it.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUR (Manchester, E.)May I ask the Leader of the House if he will state what is to be the course of business next week? He has stated that one day will be devoted to the Budget Bill. What will be taken on the other Government days?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUEROn Monday and Tuesday we propose to go on with the Welsh Church Bill. I am not prepared to say just now what will be taken on Thursday and Friday.