§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland a question with regard to the Tithe Rent-charge (Ireland) Bill and the Charitable Loans (Ireland) Bill—namely, whether he will give the Irish Members a promise that he will not take the Second Reading of either of these Bills without a week's notice.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think that, perhaps, that question should more properly be directed to me than to my right hon. friend. I am anxious to give the Irish Members, and, indeed, any section of the House, as long notice as I can of the taking of Bills in which they are interested. But, as I have before observed, a Government may hamper itself too much by pledges of this kind, so that it would be almost impossible to conduct the business of the House, as accidents may, and do, occur. I will do my best, however, to meet the wishes of hon. Members, but I cannot give any more definite pledge.
§ MR. DILLONSurely the right hon. Gentleman will recognise that under the peculiar circumstances in which Irish Members are placed they ought to have some assurance in reference to the two important Bills in which they are so deeply interested. Yet he has given us no assurance at all.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am sure that the hon. Gentleman and his friends will upon reflection see that I do my very best to meet their wishes on matters connected with Ireland. I am extremely anxious to meet their desire, and will certainly do my best in the case of these particular Bills.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I desire to ask a question in regard to the Finance Bill. The right hon. Gentleman may be aware that it is not yet printed. He may also be aware that sometimes Bills as low down as No. 5 on the Orders of the Day, which is the position occupied by this Bill to-night, are unexpectedly brought on. Will he give us an assurance that this Bill will not be taken to-day, nor until it is printed? Can he also state definitely when it will be taken?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt certainly will not be taken to-night. I should be sorry to give any absolute pledge, but my hope is that the Second Reading may be taken on Monday next.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)When is the War Loan Bill to be taken?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURTomorrow.