§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)asked whether the Military Manœuvres Bill had been forgotten in the present arrangements of business, or whether it was the intention to postpone it till after the Committee stage of the Education Bill?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI must confess that I have seen indications—the value of which any Member is as well able to judge as I am—that the Bill could not be got through without a large amount of discussion. I greatly regret it, because I believe the Bill to be one of importance, and when I remember that the Under-secretary for War has expressed his intention of accepting any Amendment which the responsible Leaders of the Opposition may think necessary, it seems to me that we cannot be blamed if the Bill receives a large amount of discussion. I do not see any opportunity, I admit, before the Education Bill begins, of finding time for the further progress of the Measure, and, although I greatly regret that, everybody acquainted with the present position of Parliamentary business will feel that the conclusion at which we have arrived is the only one open to us.
§ * SIR C. DILKEasked whether the Government would consider the possibility of giving any early Friday for Army Estimates, in order that the matters which arise in connection with the military manœuvres might be discussed?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI imagine there will be a Friday soon given to the discussion of Army Estimates, but I fail to see how any Debate which may take place on Army Estimates will help the progress of this Bill.
§ * SIR C. DILKEexplained that it would give an opportunity for considering the proposals the Government intended to make for military manœuvres this year.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESasked whether the Leader of the House would consider the propriety of taking next Wednesday for the Military Manœuvres Bill? [Opposition cheers and laughter.]
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Monmouthshire, W.)Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to tell us what will be the business next week? I understand the Irish Land Bill is to be commenced. Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that the whole week will be occupied with Irish business, or, if not, what business will follow Irish business?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will repeat his Question to-morrow, when I can give him a full answer. Of course, the Irish Bill will come on on Monday, and, we may take it, it will occupy two nights. With regard to Wednesday, my hon. Friend will remember that I gave a pledge, when taking Wednesdays, that the first two Wednesdays after Whitsuntide would be given to private Members' Bills.
§ * SIR ALBERT ROLLITCan the right hon. Gentleman say anything regarding the Conciliation Bill?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYAll I can say about that Bill is that I had hoped that the Debate that took place on my hon. Friend's Bill would be regarded as sufficient, and that the Government Bill might be taken without discussion. This hope, like some other hopes I had entertained of a similar character, has been disappointed. ["Hear, hear!"]
§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Notts, Rushcliffe)The first Order of the Day on Wednesday is the Coal Mines Regulation Bill. Is it the intention of the Government to take the Bill on that day?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYNo, Sir.