BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 29 June 1896)

§ MR. HOLLAND
asked whether, in view of the fact that two matters of importance, in regard to the allotment of naval contracts and the conditions of dockyard employment, in respect of which notices for reduction had been given, had failed to be raised on Supply last Friday, owing to some misunderstanding, the First Lord of the Treasury could arrange to take the Report stage of these two Votes before 12 o'clock on any night?

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
I am afraid I cannot promise to take the Report stage of those Votes before 12 o'clock; but if other business extends beyond 12 I will not take them later. As I have been asked a question about the business of the House I may say that, after consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I find it will be inconvenient to break into the discussion on the Finance Bill. It is very important for financial reasons that we should proceed rapidly with the Uganda Railway Bill. Under these circumstances I shall take the Uganda resolution To-morrow as the first Order, then the Coal Mines Bill, and afterwards the Light Railways Bill.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)
What arrangement does the right hon. Gentleman propose with reference to the Finance Bill ?

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
I think in all probability it will come on on Tuesday next week. Probably Monday next week will be most convenient.

§ MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)
It will not be taken this week?

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
In all probability it will not be.

§ MR. J. W. CROMBIE (Kincardineshire)
Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to take the Scotch Rating Bill To-morrow?

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
Yes, I must apologise to hon. Members for having misled them. I said the Scotch Rating Bill would be put down as the first Order To-morrow and dealt with under the Standing Order, which limits Debate to one speech for and against. I find, however, that the Government have no power to put down Bills on Tuesdays for that purpose. Therefore I must defer the Scotch Rating Bill until Thursday.

§ MR. DALZIEL
Does the Bill come under the Standing Order?

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
Yes, Sir.

§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)
Will the Bill be taken as the first Order on Thursday?

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
Yes, Sir. Under these circumstances it will necessarily come "at the commencement of public business."

§ MR. J. WILSON (Falkirk Burghs)
asked whether, considering the importance of the Coal Mines Regulation Bill, the right hon. Gentleman had resolved to withdraw the contentious clauses and restrict the Measure to simply dealing with the life-saving clauses?

§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY
In answer to that question I have already stated that I hope the House will read this Bill a Second time, and when it has reached Committee I shall propose to omit the check-weighing clause altogether.

§ MR. LOUGH
Will the Irish Rating Bill immediately follow the Scotch Rating Bill?

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
The Irish Rating Bill will not be introduced the same day as the Scotch Bill.

§ *SIR C. DILKE
Having regard to the important nature of the 9th clause—the definition clause—in the Agricultural Land Rating Bill, and the very brief discussion it received on a former occasion, I desire to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is his intention to take that clause at any hour tonight?

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY
The clauses preceding Clause 9 are not very important, and there is no reason at all why we should not reach that clause at an hour which will permit of ample and adequate discussion of it. [Cheers.]