HC Deb 19 March 1900 vol 80 cc1199-200
MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

Will the right hon. Gentleman state what will be the first Order to-morrow, and on Thursday and Friday?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The first Order to-morrow will be the next stage of the Consolidated Fund Bill. After that it is impossible for me to make a definite promise, because I cannot foresee what course the House will desire to take to-night with regard to the Finance Bill. I have ground for hoping, after what took place on Friday last, that there will not be any difficulty in getting through the Second Reading stage at a comparatively early hour to-night. If I am disappointed in that prospect I may have to take it to-morrow. On Thursday an opportunity is to be given to hon. Members from Ireland to discuss the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland. I cannot absolutely say in what form or on what motion that discussion will take place, but I am bound to give hon. Members a full opportunity to carry out that discussion. On Friday the Speaker will be moved out of the Chair on the Civil Service Estimates, and I understand the hon. Member desires to raise the ques- tion of university education in Ireland for Roman Catholics.

MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he intends to proceed with the Second Reading of the Finance Bill after ten o'clock to-night, and whether in view of the far reaching nature of some of the proposals he does not think that further time should be granted for its consideration.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir.

MR. LOUGH

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman caught my point. I wish to know whether he intends to insist on getting the Second Reading at ten o'clock if the debate is not then concluded.

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That is not a proper question. It is not right to ask a Minister if he intends to insist on taking a division at a particular hour. He cannot insist.

MR. LOUGH

Yes; because the First Lord said on Friday night—

*MR. SPEAKER

I heard what the right hon. Gentleman said. I repeat that the hon. Gentleman's question is quite irregular.

DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)

Is it intended to take Order No. 10 to-night, and if so, will it be brought on at a time which will enable a full discussion to be taken?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

There is no chance of taking it to-night.

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