HC Deb 02 June 1899 vol 72 cc185-7
CAPTAIN SINCLAIR

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when he proposes to take Scotch Estimates, and, in particular, the Scotch Education vote?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Perhaps it will be convenient for hon. Gentlemen representing Scotland to fix this day fortnight as the day for taking Scotch Supply. Next Friday, as they are aware, is allocated to the Foreign Office Vote.

MR. BOULNOIS (Marylebone, E.)

When will the London Government Bill be next taken?

MR. BALFOUR

I shall put the London Government Bill as the first Order for Monday, simply in order to avoid Monday, which will be devoted to discussing in Committee of Supply the Vote to Lord Kitchener, being counted as an allotted day under the Supply Rule. But immediately the Order is called on I shall postpone it, and I propose to take it second on Tuesday, and if not on Tuesday, I shall take it as the first Order on Thursday.

MR. J. MORLEY (Montrose, &c)

I believe we arc right in assuming that the Government, in reference to the proposed Vote to Lord Kitchener, does not intend to proceed by way of Bill, but by some method—which I confess I do not quite myself understand—by which a Vote can be procured by a mere resolution in Committee?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It is hardly a resolution in Committee. It is a Vote in Committee of Supply. The precedent followed is that of 1874, when a sum of money was voted by this House to Lord Wolseley. The alternative method of proceeding by Bill, which was adopted in 1884, seems to be more cumbrous, and might lead to prolonged and quite unnecessary discussion, and would not in effect have any different result from a Vote in Committee of Supply. It is necessary that I should adopt this technical device of putting the London Government Bill down first, otherwise one of the days allocated to Supply would he exhausted on this Vote, and that would, I think, be a misuse of the rule.

MR. J. MORLEY

It does not come up in the Estimates in any other form?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It is an Estimate; it will be passed in Committee of Supply, and there will be a Report stage.

MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

Am I correct in saying that the Government stated, at an early period of this Session, that this Vote would be granted by way of Bill?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No; I think not. I have always contemplated this procedure.

SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

Will it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to make his statement on behalf of this grant in Committee?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Yes, sir.

MR. J. REDMOND (Waterford)

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any arrangement has been come to as to the time for taking the Irish estimates. I have reason to believe that at the commencement of the week after next some important Irish business will be before the House, which will necessitate a large attendance of Irish members, and if the Irish estimates can be taken at the same time it would be a very great convenience.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The date to which the hon. Gentleman refers has already been allocated to Scotland. I will, however, inquire whether any arrangement can be arrived at which will be agreeable to both parties. I shall be very glad to meet the general views.

CAPTAIN PRETYMAN (Suffolk, Woodbridge)

What will be the first Order On Tuesday?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The first Order on Tuesday will be the Finance Bill.

MR. DRAGE (Derby)

When will the Small Houses Bill be taken?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I cannot give any forecast at present. It will depend on the progress made with the London Government Bill.