§ *SIR CHAULES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)asked whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Government to take certain private Members' Bills to-night before the Government business was concluded, and, if so, why had that decision been arrived at without notice being given to the House with regard to it?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe House will perceive that some four or five private Rills have been put down before the end of the Government business to-night. If that course had not been adopted, it would have been impossible to have taken them after the whole of the Government business had been disposed of. These Dills have been put down on the understanding that they are absolutely unopposed and that it is the desire of every individual Member of the House that they shall pass. Of course if the Measures are opposed they will not be taken. If they are unopposed, I think that it is only right that they should have a chance of passing through this House. ["Hear, hear!"]
§ MR. HERMON-HODGE (Oxon, Henley)asked what had been the cause of the delay in the appointment of the Commission on Rating?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. HENRY CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, SleafordThe list of the members of the Commission is now completed, and I hope to be able to announce the names to the House almost forthwith.
§ MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)asked whether, before the operation of the guillotine began, they would have an opportunity of discussing the Prisons Vote?
§ SIB W. HARCOURT (Monmouthshire, W.)asked whether the Motion for the nomination of the Select Committee on British South Africa would be taken that night?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe Motion for the Committee cannot come on, I think, if it is likely to be discussed in a controversial spirit. I am anxious to bring on the Motion for the Committee as soon as I can, but I do not think it would be convenient to sit late for that purpose. With regard to the question put to me by the hon. Member for Islington in regard to the Votes on the Paper for to-night, I will endeavour to take the report of Votes on which a discussion is desired to-morrow, in a manner which would give an opportunity for discussion. Under the existing Standing Orders, it appears that it is not in the power of the Government to alter the order of the Votes on Report, and we are obliged to take them in precisely the same order as in Committee of the House. I would, however, suggest that next year we give the Government the same power to arrange Votes on Report as the Government now have to arrange Votes in Committee. I shall, therefore, be in the hands of the House to-morrow when I ask them on Report to postpone certain Votes which do not require discussion in order to discuss others which do. I will endeavour to meet the views of the House in so dealing with the Report of Supply.
§ *SIR C. DILKECan the Report of an early Vote be postponed till some period of the same day?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYIt is possible, and if the House will second the Government I will endeavour to postpone Votes so that the important ones shall have precedence. I think the Prisons Vote is one which should be discussed, but I believe there has been some discussion on it already, so that I cannot absolutely promise in regard to that Vote.