HC Deb 02 July 1897 vol 50 cc977-9
*SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when it is intended to take the Foreign Office Vote?

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

inquired when it was proposed to take the Vote for the Colonial Office?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester. E.

I think that both these Votes had better he deferred, and the Foreign Office Vote certainly, because it will be the last ordinary opportunity which the House will have for raising any question which they desire to raise on the foreign policy of the Government.

*SIR C. DILKE

There will be the Appropriation Bill.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

There might then be a very thin House, and it is not a very convenient time—being the last day of the Session—to raise any question. I should suggest that both Votes should be deferred as long as the other exigencies of Supply render it possible.

*SIR C. DILKE

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that the House has had no opportunity of pronouncing an opinion upon the extraordinary delay that has taken place in the settlement of the terms between Greece and Turkey?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

That, of course, is quite true; but, as the right hon. Baronet will readily see, the House is not likely to be more anxious than the Government are to bring these negotiations to a conclusion, and certainly no complaints we make in this House are likely to hurry events. I should have said that the functions of the House are more by way of criticism than in any other direction. I should, therefore, think that my plan would be the best.

SIR W. HARCOURT

Can the First Lord of the Treasury give us any further idea as to the order of business for next week? Can he say when the Naval Works Bill will be introduced? We are anxious to see that Bill, and it is now rather late in the Session.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

The Naval Works Bill would have been introduced before, but, as the Houses is aware, the First Lord of the Admiralty has been absent for official reasons for some time past. I think he will be in a position to introduce it on an early date. The Bill is quite ready, and it might be convenient that the House should allow it to be introduced in Committee on Monday, before we commence the consideration of the report stage of the Workmen's Compensation Bill. That must be done without Debate, or at any rate prolonged Debate. Otherwise the main business for Monday, and, if requisite, the following day, must necessarily be the report stage of the Workmen's Compensation Bill.

MR. T. M. HEALY

asked the President of the Board of Agirculture, with a view to saving time on Monday, whether his promised opposition to the Mersel Docks Bill would be made on behalf of the Government?

*MR. LONG

No, I do not think I am entitled to say it will be made on behalf of the Government. In my capacity as Minister for Agriculture I have examined the case on both sides, and I have come to the conclusion that injury would be done to the agricultural interests of Ireland if the Bill were passed in its present form. I do not think it necessary that opposition should he offered on behalf of the Government, or in any other way, inasmuch as the promoters of the Bill, as I am informed, are prepared to accept the decision We have already indicated in order to the rejection of the Bill. The House will be asked on Monday to permit the excision of the clauses to which the hon. Gentleman and his friends take objection.

MR. MACNEILL

asked when the War Office Vote would be taken?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I do not think it will be taken before Friday week.

CAPTAIN SINCLAIR (Forfar)

asked when it was intended to take the Committee stage of the Education (Scotland) Bill?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I cannon tell precisely when the Committee stage of the Bill will be taken, but it will not be next week.

SIR CHARLES CAMERON (Glasgow, Bridgton)

asked before what date would the Committee stage of the Public Health (Scotland) Bill not be taken?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

It will not be taken next week.

SIR C. CAMERON

Not till after the Scotch Education Bill?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

Probably it will be after the Scotch Education Bill.

MR. SCHWANN

asked when the Post Office Vote would be taken?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I will endeavour to take it on Friday week, but I cannot give an absolute pledge.