§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what will be the business before the House during the first few days after Easter. Perhaps I may ask a further question with regard to one of the motions standing in the name of the right hon. Gentleman. I presume that when he refers to the "Proceedings on the Agricultural Holdings Bill" he meant the proceedings on Monday only. The motion does not say so.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe right hon. Gentleman is correct in supposing that the notice refers to what we do on Monday. We propose before separating for the Easter recess to take the Second Beading of that Bill, and to refer it to the Grand Committee. With regard to the question on the Paper, I may say we hope to be able on Thursday, the 26th, to take the Votes in Class 3, and on Friday, the 27th, the Revenue Department Votes. In the unavoidable absence of the Home Secretary I cannot give a definite pledge as to Class 3.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANAnd as to the following Monday?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI can say nothing as to that. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will ask again on Monday next.
§ SIR HENRY FOWLER (Wolverhampton)Will the Revenue Department Votes include the Post Office?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)I presume the right hon. Gentleman will not take the Irish Estimates without due notice to the Irish Members, and that at any rate during the first few days after the holidays he will not take either of the two Bills—the Tithes Bill and the Charitable Loans Bill—in which the hon. Member for East Mayo takes interest.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESWill the right hon. Gentleman also undertake not to put down the Undersized Fish Bill?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI believe that Bill has wholly disappeared, and that in its place we have another Bill, called the Sea Fisheries Bill. I am afraid I cannot enter into the pledge asked for by my hon. friend, for there is a limit to the number of pledges I am able to give. In reply to the hon. Member for Waterford, I may say I shall certainly desire to consult the convenience of hon. Gentlemen from Ireland with regard to the day on which Irish Estimates are to be taken. The two Bills to which he referred will certainly not be put down until the Monday after the holidays.
§ CAPTAIN SINCLAIR (Forfarshire)Will the right hon. Gentleman extend the same consideration to Scotch Members with regard to the Votes in Class 3?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am always glad to consult the convenience of Members from both Ireland and Scotland, and if hon. Members object to the Scottish Votes being taken immediately after the holidays, I will accede to their wish.