§ SIR W. HARCOURT (Monmouthshire, W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when he will be able to fix a day for the Report of the Foreign Office Vote?
§ SIR C. DILKEWill time be found for the discussion of Class 5, which includes the Diplomatic and Consular Vote, the Vote for African Protectorates, the Colonies (Grant in Aid) Vote, and the Vote for Cyprus?
§ MR. BUCHANANMay I ask whether, having regard to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's answer as to the discontinuance of Ben Nevis Observatory, an opportunity for some discussion of the subject will be given on the Learned Societies Vote?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI cannot give a promise to the honourable Member who has just sat down, but I believe there is some chance that the Votes in Class 6 will come on for consideration. With regard to the right honourable Gentleman's question, of course. I should be happy to meet his wishes on the subject of the Report of the Foreign Office Vote on any evening at a late hour, if that would meet the views of the House. But, if a long discussion is desired on foreign affairs, I would suggest that perhaps the Appropriation Bill would afford a more fitting opportunity for such discussion than the Report stage of the Vote. I hope to find time for the consideration of the Diplomatic and Consular Vote, but I cannot promise that a whole evening will be devoted to it.
§ SIR W. HARCOURTNo doubt there could be a general discussion on foreign affairs upon the Appropriation Bill, but I put the Question standing in my name on the Paper in the interests of honourable Gentlemen on both sides of the House, who desire to discuss foreign affairs on the Report of the Vote. I am afraid there may be one or two gentlemen who do not intend to remain in London until the introduction of the Appropriation Bill. If there should be such gentlemen they would prefer the course which I have suggested.
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)When, will the Vote for the West Indies be taken?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe Colonial Service Vote will be taken, on Tuesday, and I might also put down the Report of the Foreign Office Vote for that night. But I should be reluctant to bring it forward too early and still more reluctant to continue the discussion very late, because the House has been working very hard recently, and I should wish, if possible, to prevent a repetition of the late sittings which we have been having.
§ MR. DAVITT (Mayo, S.)When will the Lords' Amendments to the Irish Local Government Bill be considered?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYIn any case they cannot be taken this week. I understand there are no great questions of principle involved In the Amendments passed in another place, so I hope it will not be held necessary that I should give very long notice of the date when those Amendments will be considered.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (Liverpool, Scotland)I should like to ask the right honourable Gentleman if he has any idea when the Third Reading of the Vaccination Bill will be taken?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYMy hope is that by arrangement we may put it down as the first order on Monday. It is, however, impossible for the Government to pledge the time of the House far ahead, because nobody can foresee the course of business. I think there ought to be some discussion on the Third Reading at a reasonable hour.
§ SIR C. DILKEWhat will be the business for to-morrow?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe Merchant Shipping (Mercantile Marine Fund) Bill is to be proceeded with to-morrow, and the Prisons Bill will be the second order if it is not disposed of to-night.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORAlthough I have no power to pledge anyone but myself, I must say I think that two or three hours will suffice for the discussion on the Third Reading of the Vaccination Bill.
§ MR. R. WALLACE (Edinburgh, E.)I hope that no arrangement limiting the discussion to two hours will be made.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThere has been no bargain, on the subject. I have only expressed a hope that there will not be a long discussion.
§ MR. LEWISWill the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill be taken to-night?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYNo, Sir.