HC Deb 21 March 1898 vol 55 cc404-6
MR. BUCHANAN

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when the Easter holidays will begin, and how long they will last?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I see no reason why we should not separate for the holidays after a morning sitting on Tuesday, April 5th; but this, of course, must depend on the progress we make with public business. I am quite ready to take the House into my confidence as to the business I hope to pass before Easter, and I do not think it will consider that my demands are excessive. The Second Reading of the Irish Local Government Bill we shall, of course, get to-day, to-morrow, or Wednesday. On Thursday we shall take the Second Reading of the Prisons Bill and of the Public Buildings Bill, and probably I shall have to ask the House to take the first stage of the Greek Loan Bill, which will in all probability have to pass before Easter, and, being a Money Bill, it will have to be brought in in Committee of the whole House, and no two stages can be taken on one day. But I understand that the principle of the Bill is thoroughly accepted by all sections of the House, and it ought not, therefore, to take any important fraction of Parliamentary time. I have to safeguard myself with regard to that Bill, because it is impossible to say on what day the various stages will be taken. On Monday, the 28th, I shall propose to take the Second Reading of the Scotch Private Bill Procedure Bill, and on Thursday, the 31st, the Second Reading of the Criminal Evidence Bill. On Monday, the 4th, we hope to get the Speaker out of the Chair on the Civil Service Estimates. Of course, this general outline of the programme does not necessarily exclude the Government from advancing small Departmental Bills a stage; but it gives a general notion of the business which we ought without difficulty to get through before Easter, and, if we do, we can confidently reckon on separating on the Tuesday. [An hon. MEMBER: Till when?] Till the following Monday week. In order to avoid misconception, let me say that the various stages of the Public Buildings Bill must be got through within the financial year.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Monmouthshire, W.)

I presume that the Budget will be taken immediately after Easter?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I believe it is the intention, of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to take it on Thursday, the 21st.

MR. W. E. M. TOMLINSON (Preston)

What Supply will be taken on Friday?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

The Army Estimates, beginning with Vote 10.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

May the House understand that the Dogs Regulation Bill will not be taken before Easter?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I think my hon. Friend indicates by this Question that he means to take an active interest in that Bill. It will not be taken before Easter.