HC Deb 17 March 1896 vol 38 cc1173-4
MR. JOHN MORLEY (Montrose Burghs)

Can the right hon. Gentleman now tell us what business it is proposed to take on Thursday and Friday?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

On Thursday I propose to put down, as the first Order the Naval Works Bill for Second Reading, the Military Manœuvres Bill as the second Order, and the Army Annual Bill as the third Order. All these Bills ought to be got through before the 30th April. Of course I shall also put down the Appropriation Bill. On Friday I will put down the Vote on Account, and the Foreign Office Vote will be the first Vote taken.

* SIR C. DILKE

Is it not the fact that in the Vote on Account the whole sum is taken in one lump?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

Yes, it is taken in one lump; there is only one Resolution. But according to the practice of the House, if you put the Votes in the order in which they used to be printed it is competent for anybody to get up and discuss Class 1, to the exclusion of the business which the House really wants to discuss, which may be driven off to an indefinite period of the evening.

SIR C. DILKE

said, the late Speaker stated last year that it was competent for him to call upon whom he chose; that there was no necessity to follow any order, though it was generally done.