MR. J. CARVELL WILLIAMS (Notts, Mansfield)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will give an assurance that the Education Vote will not be taken until after the Whitsuntide Recess?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYsaid he hoped the Education Vote would be taken shortly after Whitsuntide, not before, but he could give no promise as to the day.
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when he proposes again to take the Army Estimates; and, if he will be so good as to arrange to resume the discussion of the Vote for the Secretary of State's salary on the Friday following Her Majesty's Commemoration, or as soon after as may be convenient?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYsaid he thought it would be convenient to resume the discussion of the Army Estimates next week. They would not, however, take Vote 13—War Office Salaries—until after Whitsuntide, and he would give his right hon. Friend ample notice of the date when it would be taken.
§ MR. F. A. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)asked whether they were to understand that the Education Vote would not be taken in the third week in June, which week, they had been told, would be reserved for non-controversial Supply?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYcould not give any pledge that they would not take the Education Vote in that week.
§ COLONEL MILWARD (Stratford-upon-Avon)asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the general wish that the Committee stage of the Workmen (Compensation for Accidents) Bill should close before the Whitsuntide recess, and to the possibility in that event of an extra holiday on the 14th, 15th, and 16th of June, it was not desirable to suspend the Twelve o'clock Rule next week?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI think it is a matter of some importance that the House should consider what steps we ought to take with the Committee stage of this Bill; not 1524 that I for a moment suggest that any undue length of time has been taken up in discussing the Bill, for I admit the discussion has been of a very businesslike character, but because, unless we succeed in finishing the Committee stage before the holidays, it will be necessary for us to meet on Monday the 14th, and go on with it then. That, I feel sure, would be very inconvenient, and I think it would be worth our while making a little extra effort next week in order to avoid that necessity. If we succeed in finishing the Committee stage before we separate for the holidays, I suggest we should not meet until Thursday, the 17th, and that then we should take up Supply. ["Hear, hear!"]
§ *SIR C. DILKEpointed out that there were several controversial points to raise on the schedule to the Bill.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI admit that that is so. Of course, if we suspend the Twelve o'clock Rule, it will not be for the purpose of any prolonged sitting, but simply to gain an additional three-quarters of an hour or an hour. I hope the House will consider the alternative. Both alternatives undoubtedly are open to some objection, but I think the general convenience of the House would be met by a little extra sitting upon the three nights which still remain before the holidays.
§ MR. J. P. FARRELLasked whether it was the intention of the Government to take Irish Supply on the day of reassembling?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYNo, Sir.
§ MR. J. J. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when the promised Bill dealing with technical education in Ireland will be introduced, and what is the estimated amount of money to be disposed of under the provisions of the Measure?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe proposals with respect to technical education which the Govern-men intended to introduce were in connection with the Agriculture and Industries Bill. That Bill, as the hon. Gentleman knows, has been dropped, and of necessity, therefore, the technical education proposals dropped with it for the present Session.