§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)May I ask the First Lord of the Treasury what are his intentions or expectations with regard to the course of public business this week?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUR"Hopes" would perhaps be a better word than "intentions" or "expectations." My hopes are that we shall finish all the resolutions connected with the Budget to-night, except the Report of the coal duty, which will be discussed at the morning sitting to-morrow, and that we shall read the Budget Bill the first time at the morning sitting to-morrow before seven o'clock. If my hopes are disappointed, we shall finish the Budget resolutions on Thursday and take the Civil List resolution on Monday. On Friday Irish Supply will be taken.
§ SIR JOHN COLOMBThen the Army resolution will not be taken this week?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, there is no question of that.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)When the motion for the Second Reading of the Finance Bill is made, will opportunity be afforded for a general discussion on the financial proposal of the Government?
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANIs it intended to take the resolution with regard to the Army before the Second Reading of the Budget Bill?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI imagine that the Civil List resolution and the introduction of the Civil List Bill, which is to follow, will only take one night—Monday night of next week. In that case we will take the Army resolution at the morning sitting of the Tuesday following, or on the Thursday. The Second Reading of the Budget Bill will follow.
§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Friday, 10th May, could be allotted to the consideration of some of the Scotch Estimates.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs far as I am aware there will be no objection to devoting this Friday to Scottish Supply. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will be contented with that provisional undertaking.