§ MR. LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what Votes in Supply the Government propose to take on Thursday next, and in what order.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUROn Friday next I do not propose to take before the Colonial Vote any Votes which are likely to lead to any prolonged discussion, but I hope to get the Votes relating to the following:—Rates on Government Property, the Treasury, Privy Council, Charity Commission, Civil Service Commission, Exchequer and Audit Department, Friendly Societies, and Woods and Forests. These ought to take a very short time, and it is extremely desirable that the Government should get these Votes before the natural termination of Supply.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have no reason to believe that that will lead to prolonged discussion.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)Will the right hon. 249 Gentleman reconsider his proposal as to the minor Votes, which, although small, still would occupy considerable time, in view of the fact that the Colonial Vote is of the very first consequence?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf I have a pledge that the Votes I have enumerated will be obtained after the Colonial Vote, it is a matter of indifference whether the Colonial Vote comes first or last.
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)Will the right hon. Gentleman state some hour at which the Colonial Vote will be taken?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir; I cannot state a definite hour, but I quite recognise what has fallen from the Leader of the Opposition, that the Colonial Vote is necessarily an important Vote, and that the House has a right to claim that the discussion upon it shall be taken at an hour not inconvenient.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)Has the right hon. Gentleman forgotten that he can get these small Votes next week under the closure?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt is precisely for that reason I am anxious to take them next Friday.
§ MR. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when he proposes to proceed with the Elementary Education (Defective and Epileptic Children) Bill; and, whether, having regard to the great importance of making better provision for these children without delay, an effort will be made to pass the Bill into Law this session. I beg, also, to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the fact that the Shop Assistants (Seats) Bill has passed both Houses, and only requires a practically formal step in this House to enable the Bill to become an Act of Parliament, he will consent to give the few minutes necessary to carry out the intention of both Houses of Parliament.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI hope that both the Elementary Education (Defective and Epileptic Children) Bill and the Shop Assistants (Seats) Bill will be passed before the end of the session.
§ MR. BROADHURSTWhen is it proposed to take the Resolution as to the appointment of an additional judge?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNot in the course of the present week.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANCan the right hon. Gentleman supplement the somewhat fragmentary information he has given us as to the course of business?
§ MR. BALFOURIt depends on the progress we make, but I think the chief business on Wednesday will be to advance a stage of the Telephones Bill, the Naval Works Bill, and the Niger Bill. No doubt there will be other Bills of a less important character, and I hope we shall be able to advance them also.