§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)The right hon. Gentleman suggested yesterday that he would make some statement as to the business, and I trust that in doing so he will indicate the business for the rest of the session, and which Bills are to be proceeded with if possible.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI had not contemplated making a statement with regard to the rest of the session, nor as far as I remember are any important modifications required in the original programme of business which I submitted to the House. We are making fair progress, and I do not think there are any outstanding ques- 684 tions which require any change in our views. I propose on Monday to take the Second Reading of, the Colonial Loans Fund Bill, the Report of the Military Works Bill, the Committee stage of the Public Works Loans Bill, and the Resolution for the new Judge. After that we propose to take the Third Reading of the Telephones Bill, and Supply. I should say, with regard to Bills which it will be proper for the Government to star, that I have been making such inquiries as I can into the matter, and I understand that with regard to the following Bills there is no opposition which would render it improper to take that course—the Shop Assistants Bill and the Summary Jurisdiction Bill. They are in a different condition from the other Bills, and I cannot imagine any objection to them. As to Bills not yet gone to the Lords, or, at all events, not yet passed this House, there are the Baths and Washhouses Bill, the Lincolnshire Coroners Bill, the Commons and Open Spaces Bill, Marriages Validity (No. 2) Bill, Manchester Canonries Bill, Tancred's Charities Bill, and the Parliamentary Deposits Bill. I understand that these Bills are not likely to meet with any opposition of an important character. I had hoped to be able to add to the list the Isolation Hospitals (Amendment) Bill, but I gather that this measure would raise an amount of discussion which would make it improper for the Government to take the measure under their wing.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)Will the right hon. Gentleman state what is to be done as to the Charitable Loans (Ireland) Bill? I think it is contrary to all precedent and most inconvenient to keep it on the Paper day after day.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI had hoped that that Bill might meet with favour from hon. Members opposite, but as this is the third time the hon. Member has said that the Bill is highly contentious and likely to lead to debate, the announcement of that view leads me to say that I cannot possibly proceed with the Bill in the course of this session.
§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeenshire, S.)When will the Board of Education Bill be taken?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI hope to take it on Tuesday.