HC Deb 23 April 1896 vol 39 cc1531-3
COLONEL LOCKWOOD (Essex, Epping)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he will state on what day it is proposed to resume the Committee on the Military Man- œuvres Bill; and, whether the Bill will be passed in time to allow manœuvres to be held this year?

COLONEL KENYON-SLANEY (Shropshire, Newport)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the necessity of passing the Military Manœuvres Bill by 1st May if manœuvres are to be held this year; and whether, seeing that the main portions of the Bill have now been approved by the House, he will give the necessary time to complete the stages of this Bill?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

It is the fact that it is desirable that the Military Manœuvres Bill must be passed before May 1, because unless it is passed by that date it will not be possible to hold the manœuvres in the course of the present year. The House is aware that I have done what I could to give facilities in order that that desirable object should be attained. Unfortunately that object has not been attained, and it is quite impossible for me any longer to allow the Manœuvres Bill to stand between the very important proposals of the Government which have to be dealt with during the remainder of the Session. I will, however, endeavour to see whether it will be possible, by suspending the Twelve o'clock Rule or otherwise—["Hear, hear!" and Opposition cries of "Oh!"]—to get the Bill through in time. ["Hear, hear!"] I ought to say that I am not very sanguine of the issue of any such endeavour on my part. ["Hear, hear!"]

*MR. E. STRACHEY (Somerset, S.)

asked whether it was not the case that the right hon. Gentleman had not given further facilities for passing the Bill than something like five hours for the discussion of this most important Bill. ["Hear, hear!"]

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

That depends upon what the hon. Gentleman considers to be facilities. ["Hear, hear!" and laughter.] I remember one Tuesday which we devoted, as far as the Government can devote a day, to this Bill. It so happened that private business on that afternoon occupied an extraordinary amount of time, especially as far as hon. Members opposite were concerned. ["Hear, hear!" and laughter.]

COLONEL KENYON-SLANEY

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman recognised that the Bill was of first-class importance to the Army, and whether in the circumstances he was prepared to make such provisions for passing the Bill as lay in his power, ["Hear, hear!"]

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I am ready to do my very best. ["Hear, hear!"]

MR. H. C. F. LUTTRELL (Devon, Tavistock)

asked what that best was— whether it might not be the worst for the House. ["Hear, hear!"] Was it the intention of the Government to allow the Debate upon this important Bill to proceed after Twelve o'clock?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

If the further discussion upon this Bill is to take place at this period of the Session it must be after Twelve o'clock. I am afraid that I cannot say at the present moment whether I can make arrangements for carrying my proposal into effect.