§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Monmouthshire, W.)asked the Leader of the House whether, in the event of the first Order on the, Paper, the Naval Works Bill, taking some time, he would move to report progress upon it at a convenient hour, so that Members generally 187 might have an opportunity for hearing the statement of the Vice-President of the Council on the Education Bill.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI am aware that Members on both sides of the House are very anxious to hear the statement of my right hon. friend the Vice-President of the Council, but at the same time it is absolutely necessary to get through the stage of the Naval Works Bill —the Bill has been too long delayed already—and I shall have to ask the House, if they will, to endeavour to get through the Committee stage this evening. I have no reason to believe that the discussion is likely to be prolonged to an hour which would make it generally inconvenient for my right hon. Friend to make his statement.
§ *SIR CHARLES DILKEasked whether it was intended that the first business to-morrow would be the Civil Service Estimates?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYWhat I propose is to put down a few uncontroversial Army Votes, not very many, and as soon as they are finished I will immediately move to report progress, and take the Vote on Account. In any case, I am pledged to take the Vote on Account at seven o'clock.