BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 4 August 1896)

§ MR. JOHN MORLEY (Montrose Burghs)
said it would be to the convenience of the House if the First Lord of the Treasury could kindly say what business he proposed to take on Thursday and Friday.

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
said that to-night and to-morrow would, he imagined, be occupied by the completion of the Committee stage of the Scotch Rating Bill. If hon. Members were prepared to take the Report stage on Thursday, then of course, Friday in ordinary course would be devoted to Supply. If, however, it was thought necessary, though he hoped this would not be the case, that a day should intervene between the Committee stage and Report, he would ask the House to substitute Thursday for Friday as the day on which Supply would be taken. Monday and Tuesday of next week would be devoted to Supply.

§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)
asked whether it was intended to take the West Highland Railway Bill that evening?

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
No.

§ MR. MACLEAN
When does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take the Indian Budget?

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
It cannot evidently be taken before the middle of next week.

§ MR. J. MORLEY
thought it would be possible to take the report stage of the Scotch Rating Bill on Thursday. The Amendments were not numerous. Could the right hon. Gentleman give any information as to the prospects of the Irish Land Bill, and what day it might be expected?

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
thought the most convenient course would be to devote Friday to Supply, as usual. Whether a Saturday sitting was necessary would largely depend on what progress was made with small Bills. As to the Irish Land Bill, he did not believe, from what he gathered, that they would be able to discuss it before next Wednesday. In any case he did not see how they could find time to discuss it. In order to give the House a remote chance of rising on Saturday week, it was necessary to finish Supply before Tuesday, in order to take the Appropriation Bill; so that Wednesday would be the first day. The West Highland Railway Bill would not be taken until Thursday.