HC Deb 22 March 1900 vol 81 cc58-9
SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Can the Leader of the House state what the arrangements for business next week will be?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

On Monday we shall take Committee on the Budget, and we shall continue that de die in diem until it is finished. As I do not know how long it will last, I cannot give any further information.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman with pro- priety say anything as to the date or duration of the Easter recess, or whether he will be able to make a statement on the subject on Monday?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am afraid that it is rather early to indulge in these agreeable and prophetic speculations. For my own part I hope the holidays will begin early and will last long. That is my strong personal desire, but I cannot promise any such luxury to the House until I see what progress we are able to make with public business. I ought perhaps to say, to correct any misapprehension with regard to the answer which I have just given, that when I said that Committee will continue on the Budget de die in diem, I meant on the nights on which the Government have the whole of the time. I did not mean to include Wednesdays.

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