HC Deb 02 March 1900 vol 79 cc1537-8
MAJOR RASCH

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can state when the Army Estimates will be taken.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am sorry I cannot fix a date. One difficulty in my way is that my hon. friend the Under Secretary for War is not at present able to attend the sittings of the House, and I cannot be quite sure when he will be in a position to do so.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN () Stirling Burghs

Can the First Lord of Treasury say what the business will be in the early days of next week?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

On Monday my right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposes to introduce the Budget, and I think I will have to ask the House to suspend the twelve o'clock rule on Monday night in order to facilitate the progress of the necessary resolutions. Tuesday we propose to take for the continuation of the Budget discussion, but should the discussion conclude on Monday, Tuesday may be left to private members. On Thursday we may take the Army Estimates, but that will depend on whether my hon. friend the Under Secretary for War will be able to attend the House that day.