§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)Perhaps the Leader of the House will tell us what will be the business next week, and I would specially ask him whether the Report of the Colonial Office Vote will be taken at such a time as will permit of further discussion. Yesterday we had a short discussion, which was closured, and there was no opportunity for detailed inquiries which Members desired to make.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think that yesterday's was a short discussion. It lasted until half-past seven o'clock, as the House knows, and was nearly as long as it would have been on the night I intended to set apart for the Vote, though on an appeal from the right hon. Gentleman I transferred the discussion to a Wednesday.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI merely mentioned that it was closured.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI thought there was some undercurrent of objection. As regards the Report stage of the Vote, there is one opportunity on which the Report of Votes can be taken at an early hour—the last day of Supply. The Government hare no views as to how that day up to ten o'clock should be allocated, and I would certainly regard what may be any general wish. On Monday next the first business will be the resolution to introduce the financial proposals of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I do not know whether the House would desire to take a general discussion at that stage or to defer it until the Second Reading stage. For various reasons I think it would be more convenient to defer discussion until the Second Reading, because I am anxious to proceed with the Companies Bill on Monday.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESWill the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement be made by resolution in Committee of Ways and Means?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have a very important notice down on the motion to go into Committee?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI was not aware of it, and I regret to hear it.