HC Deb 11 May 1900 vol 82 cc1381-2
MR. SAMUEL SMITH

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to take a morning sitting next Tuesday?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

My original intention was to take a morning sitting on Tuesday. That was in the expectation that we should obtain the Second Reading of the Housing of the Working Classes Bill in the course of one night's debate. But as the House knows that was not possible, and therefore I shall be obliged to ask the House to give me facilities for that Bill on Tuesday next, and also for the Australian Commonwealth Bill, supposing the first stage of that Bill is not concluded on Monday. I should hope, however, it will be. When the House meets at three o'clock on Tuesday I shall ask leave if the Commonwealth Bill is not finished to give precedence to that measure, and I shall put down as the second Order the Housing of the Working Classes Bill. If, as I hope, one night is sufficient for the introductory stage of the Commonwealth Bill, T shall only ask for facilities for the Second Reading of the Housing of the Working Classes Bill, and when that stage is concluded I shall leave the remainder of the night to private Members.

SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester shire, Forest of Dean)

The second Order on Monday was to have been the proposal to take Tuesday morning sittings. What will now he the second Order?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I think Uganda Committee will be the second Order.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to intimate that he has given up his proposal to take morning sittings on Tuesdays?

Mr. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir. I think I shall have to ask the House for the remaining Tuesdays before Whitsuntide in order to give additional facilities to Government business. I do not propose to move a general resolution on that subject, but my motion on Tuesday will be confined to the purposes I have indicated.