§ SIR GEORGE S. BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in 1379 view of the general desire to make progress with the Bill, the Merchant Shipping (Mercantile Marine Fund) Bill can be given an early place in the Orders of the Day for Monday next?
§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman a Question, of which I have given him private notice, whether he is aware of the fact that an important meeting is being held to-day for the consideration of this Bill, and that, therefore, there may be some public advantage in a slight postponement of this discussion?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.The last time I had an opportunity of consulting with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on this subject it was decided that the Bill should be put down as the third Order on Monday. Practically, I believe it would be second to the Supplementary Estimates, as the actual second Order. The Bill of my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Ireland, in regard to registration, will, I understand, take no time. I am not able to discuss with the right hon. Gentleman the Question he has just put to me, but I think the Order had better remain as it is, and if any public ground is shown by Monday for a postponement the Government will be prepared to consider it.