HC Deb 21 July 1896 vol 43 cc274-7
MR. HENRY LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether it would be possible, with a view to the convenience of Members, to state each day before Public Business what Bills will be taken after 12 p.m. on that evening; and also whether some arrangement could be made as to the day on which the Uganda Vote should be brought on?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

In regard to the Uganda Railway I believe the Treasury contemplate bringing on the Bill as soon as possible, but of course not to-day. With regard to the general question on the Paper it will he impossible for me to give a pledge on the subject. What Bills will be taken on any evening after midnight must inevitably depend upon the nature of the business which he House has to discuss. With regard to to-night, there will be no idea of curtailing proceedings on the Irish Land Bill for the purpose of taking any other Measure that will require to he discussed.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Monmouthshire, W.)

May we take it for granted that the Military Works Bill will not be brought on to-night?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

Certainly, if that is the view of the right hon. Gentleman.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Will the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House give us 24 hours' notice of the Uganda Railway Bill?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I will endeavour to do that. I think that probably it could be done.

MR. DILLON

asked that some notice should be given as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the business on the Paper—e.g., whether he could not state that if the Irish Land Bill was continued till after 1 o'clock, he would not take other Government business after that late hour, or give notice at the beginning of business each night?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

As I have just stated, it is not my intention to take any business which would occupy time after the Irish Land Bill, and there is no idea of curtailing the discussion on the Irish Land Bill, in order to give time for anything else. I do not propose to do anything of the sort. But if there be any Measure quite uncontroversial, I see no objection to its being advanced.

SIR W. HARCOURT

With regard to the notice on the Paper, I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he would make arrangements, on the additional days proposed to be set apart for Supply, for two subjects of paramount importance. There must be a discussion as to the state of affairs in South Africa and the intentions of the Government with reference to the Inquiry into the Chartered Company. [Cheers.] That is one question; but I do not ask the right hon. Gentleman to fix the exact date. In making his arrangements for Supply, however, I think he might set a day apart for this discussion. There is still another matter which I confess I regard as of still more paramount and urgent importance, and that is the discussion of the present condition of things with reference to the Venezuelan boundary. ["Hear, hear!"] That is a matter of most urgent importance. The Prime Minister has invited opinion on that subject in publishing the Dispatches, and, of course, the opinion of the House of Commons ought to be expressed with reference to it. Therefore I trust the right hon. Gentleman will set apart a day so that the opinion of the House of Commons may be ascertained and stated on that question.

THE FIRST LOLD OF THE TREASURY

With regard to the appeal made to me by the right hon. Gentleman, of course a desire expressed from that quarter of the House that there are great questions of public urgency requiring discussion is one which cannot be ignored or rejected by the Government. With regard to South Africa, I may remind the right hon. Gentleman that there have been two days already given to that question, and I am not aware that anything new has occurred since the last discussion to necessitate further Debate.

SIR W. HARCOURT

What has occurred has been this. The Colonial Secretary has always stated that he could not announce to the House what course was going to be taken with regard to that Inquiry until the conclusion of the trial now going on. It is obvious that we have had no statement on that subject, and we must have a statement which must be discussed on that question.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

The best time for the discussion would be when my right hon. Friend makes his promised statement. But I do not think we could give up a day set down for Supply. We must find some other day, because the 23 days for Supply are already fully occupied; but if the discussion has to interfere with Government time I see no alternative. With regard to Venezuela, it is true that Papers have been published, but it is also true that the negotiations to which the Papers refer are still pending, and there are obvious inconveniences in the House discussing questions of international diplomacy which are not completed matters, but which are still under discussion by the two Governments concerned. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would confer with me on those two subjects in order that we may be able to come to some arrangement.

MR. F. A. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)

On what day does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take the chief remaining Votes of Class II.?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

Without giving an absolute pledge, I should desire to take Class II. on Friday, July 31.

* SIR ALBERT ROLLIT (Islington, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman find an opportunity to discuss the Commercial Department of the Foreign and the commercial action of the Colonial Offices?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I do not think that I can give my hon. Friend a pledge to find a convenient hour for discussing them.

MR. W. REDMOND

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that in the course of Debate the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs gave a promise that sure Government would afford time if a discussion with regard to Venezuela?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I am not aware that my right hon. Friend gave that pledge, but I have already stated that I shall come to an arrangement with the Leader of the Opposition, which will enable the matter to be discussed if it is absolutely necessary.