HC Deb 24 May 1900 vol 83 cc1125-6
MR. HERBERT ROBERTS

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can state when the Education Estimates will be taken?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I propose to take the Education Estimates on the Thursday on which the House reassembles—Thursday, 14th June; and perhaps I may take this opportunity of saying that on the Education Estimates it will be possible for the hon. Member for Flintshire to raise the educational motion he has upon the Paper for next Tuesday. Under those circumstances I think it would be for the convenience of the House, and I think it would not be inconsistent with the interest of public business, that we should rise late on Monday night instead of sitting on Tuesday for the purpose of adjourning for the holidays. I therefore propose to move the adjournment for the holidays first thing on Monday, at the same time suspending the Twelve o'clock Rule in respect of the Report stage of the Railways Prevention of Accidents Bill. We ought to finish that before we rise for the holidays. I think there will be no difficulty whatever in getting through the work before twelve o'clock, but in order to prevent accidents in respect of that Bill, I will move that the Twelve o'clock Rule be suspended.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)

What Supply will be taken on the Friday after we meet?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put that question to-morrow.

MR. SAMUEL SMITH

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to reconsider this matter, and to bear in mind that there is a very strong feeling throughout the country that we should have one evening for a distinct discussion on the matter raised by my motion? On the Education Estimates many questions are raised, and it is almost impossible to get valuable debates on a particular subject.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

According to my observations Estimate discussions are far more valuable than Tuesday evening debates, especially if they are taken under the circumstances which must attend a sitting next Tuesday.

MR. SAMUEL SMITH

Will you give us a sitting from two to seven?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir.

MR. JOHN WILSON (Durham)

When is it proposed to take the Housing of the Working Classes Bill again?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am afraid I cannot give any pledge.