HC Deb 08 March 1900 vol 80 cc401-2
SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)

I wish to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed, as usual, to leave over one or two of the Naval Estimates so that the discussion on naval affairs may be resumed later in the session?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square

Yes, I propose to postpone Vote 8 (Shipbuilding, Repairs, Maintenance, etc.), and not to take the Report on Vote 12 (Admiralty Office), so that there will be an opportunity for discussion later in the session.

Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Can the Leader of the House say what will be the business for Monday next?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The right hon. Gentleman is well within his rights in asking, and I regret that I am unable to give an absolutely conclusive answer. I have little doubt that the Government will be able to take the Army Estimates first on Monday, but that arrangement to a certain extent depends upon my hon. friend the Under Secretary for War, whose health, I am sorry to say, is not yet fully restored; but I believe that my hon. friend will be in a position to make his statement on Monday upon the motion that the Speaker leave the chair. I also understand that on a very early day the Chancellor of the Exchequer will introduce his Loan Bill, arising out of the Budget, and that Bill will probably be the first order on Tuesday. If so, the discussion on the Army Estimates will be interrupted for that purpose.

MR. COGHILL (Stoke-upon-Trent)

When is it proposed to take the Second Reading of the Factories and Workshops Bill?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Not to-night.

Sir CHARLES CAMERON (Glasgow, Bridgeton)

Will the Ecclesiastical Assessments Bill be taken to-night?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No.

Sir CHARLES CAMERON

What will be the order of business, should the Navy Estimates be got through early to-night?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not expect there will be much time for any Bills except the first on the Paper. We propose to take the Bills in their order.