§ MR. F. A. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, whether any decision had been come to as to the introduction of the Education Bill on Monday, and whether he had considered the great inconvenience which would be caused to Members if the introduction of the Bill were postponed until Tuesday?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI am afraid that I have not much to add to the general statement in regard to the business on Monday and Tuesday which I gave to the House last night. It is necessary on Monday to get the Third Reading of the Naval Works Bill, which I understood from the right hon. Member for the Montrose Burghs is not a Bill which ought to take much time at that stage. Then we must get the Speaker out of the Chair on the Civil Service Estimates and get the Report of the Vote on Account. Getting the Speaker out of the Chair is an operation which has frequently been done in an hour or two, and sometimes even less. [Opposition cries of "No!"] I find that in 1892 it was agreed to in half a 279 day— a morning sitting. In 1891, when there was no question of a Dissolution, it took one day. In 1894, when there was no question of a Dissolution, it took a fraction of a day. On Thursday, March 29, the Speaker was got out of the Chair after two Bills had been introduced, and five Votes were afterwards taken. That was under the late Government, and I see no reason why the present Government should not receive the same meed from Gentlemen who wish to get the Education Bill on Monday. As far as I can judge the Questions on the Paper to be discussed before we can get the Speaker out of the Chair, I do not see anything that need take much time. If that were the view of the House, and if there was an understanding that the Speaker is to be got out of the Chair, and that the Report of the Vote on Account is to be taken without any unduly-prolonged Debate, I do not see why my right hon. Friend should not introduce the Education Bill on Monday. But, in the absence of that understanding, I can only advise him to defer his statement to a less convenient day, but the only day which the action of the House has put in my power to afford him. [Cheers.]
§ *SIR CHARLES DILKEasked, what was the reason for insisting on getting the Speaker out of the Chair on the Civil Service Estimates before Easter?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI did not mean that it was necessary in order to meet the requirements of the law; but it is necessary for the proper conduct of public business that we should make such progress as to be able to begin the Estimates at once on the Thursday after the holidays.
§ MR. HERBERT LEWISasked, whether, in the case of a first-class Bill, like the Education Bill, it was not usual to give three or four days to the First Reading, and not the fraction of a day?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI do not think that has been the general rule.