HC Deb 26 March 1900 vol 81 cc332-3
*SIR HENRY FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)

With reference to public business on Thursday I beg to ask whether the First Lord of the Treasury is aware that on that night a most important motion is on the Paper with reference to the new Education Code, and whether he can make arrangements to allow that motion to come on, say, at 10 o'clock.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I understand the force of the right hon. Gentleman's appeal. I have not had the opportunity of making myself acquainted with the amount or the importance of the discussion which is likely to arise on the motion to which he refers, but I have no reason to believe that it will take very long. If the right hon. Gentleman assures me to the contrary, I will do what I can to meet the wishes of hon. Members opposite. I think, however, that on Thursday we ought to pass not only the reference to the Committee on Municipal Trading, but the Railway Accidents Bill. If those orders are passed I will not ask the House to go on with other Bills after 10 o'clock.

MR. DILLON

When will the Charitable Loans (Ireland) Bill be taken? I may say I wish to move an important In- struction to the Committee. The Tithe Rent-charge (Ireland) Bill is put down for April 26th—a most inconvenient day for the Irish Members after the Easter recess, and I hope we shall have an assurance that it will not be taken that day.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Before I answer that question may I, referring again to Thursday's business, say it would be useless to stop Government business if the only result is to allow the Bills of private Members to come on. If it is a matter of general agreement that if the Government stop their business at 10 o'clock no attempt will be made to take private Bills on the Paper for Thursday next, then I will make the arrangement. I cannot give a pledge not to take the Irish Charitable Loans Bill on Thursday if there is a good chance, but if it is inconvenient for hon. Gentlemen to discuss the Tithe Rent-charge Bill on the date mentioned, I will engage not to take it on that day.

SIR HENRY FOWLER

Cannot the Government put the Code debate immediately after the Railway Accidents Bill on the Orders of the Day?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I will consider that point.