HC Deb 24 May 1898 vol 58 cc554-5
COLONEL SAUNDERSON (Armagh, N.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can name a day for the discussion of the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland?

MR. H. ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)

I beg also to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what will be the business taken on the reassembling of the House on Monday, June 6th?

MR. M'KENNA (Monmouthshire, W.)

At the same time may I ask the First Lord of the Treasury on what day the Second Reading of the Finance Bill will be taken; and, whether the Government propose to take Supply on Monday, June 6th; and, if so, what Votes?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

We propose to allot a day to the Financial Relations Debate as near as possible to the commencement of the Report stage of the Irish Local Government Bill. On Monday, June 6th, the Second Reading of the Finance Bill will he taken; the Reserve Forces Rill will be the second order. The Government do not propose to take Supply on that day. I propose to place a Notice of Motion on the Paper on behalf of my right honourable Friend the Leader of the House to take the time of the House, except the first two Wednesdays after the Recess, for Government business. My noble Friend the Secretary for India informs me that it will be necessary to introduce an Indian Loan Bill shortly in order to provide for the redemption of certain debentures now falling due, and also the ways and means for carrying out the extension of railway construction in India, and that he proposes to make his financial statement in moving the Resolution necessary to set up this Bill. We propose to take this on Tuesdays June 7th. Of course, the arrangements when proposed are subject to the conclusion of the Committee stage of the Irish Local Government Bill to-day. If that should not have concluded it will take precedence of everything after Whitsuntide until it is finished. But I hope it may be concluded to-day, as it would be very desirable for many reasons that a considerable, period should intervene between the Committee and Report stage of the Bill.

MR. DILLON

May I ask the right honourable Gentleman whether the honourable Gentleman can say approximately when the Report stage of the Irish Local Government Bill will be taken; and also, consequentially, for what day the Debate on the Irish Financial Relations will be fixed?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

I can only answer the Question very approximately. The Financial Relations Debate will not be taken before June 20th, and the Report stage of the Irish Local Government Bill may then follow on June 21st, but possibly both may be deferred to a later date.

MR. T. M. HEALY

There is no probability of their being accelerated?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

No.

MR. NUSSEY (Pontefract)

Has any day been fixed for the Criminal Evidence Bill?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

I cannot fix any particular day.