§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN: (Stirling Burghs)I beg to ask the Leader of the House if he has any information to communicate in regard to public business, and particularly what Votes will be taken to-morrow in the stage of Report of Supply.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think probably the most convenient course will be to put down the classes in their order. If the right hon. Gentleman desires anything to be raised, of course I shall be glad to consider it; but, as at present advised, I shall put down the classes in their order—Class 1, Class 2, and so on.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANIf any objection reaches me I will communicate.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs regards Monday, I propose to take as the first Order the Second Reading of the Royal Titles Bill, which I think ought not to take any length of time, and then we shall proceed with the Report of the Factories Bill and of the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors to Children Bill. On Tuesday we shall take the next stage of the Royal Titles Bill and what remains of the Factories Bill and the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors to Children Bill. On Wednesday the main business will be the Naval and Military Works Bills. On Thursday, if we make reasonable progress with all these matters, I think it may be possible to take the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill. That is perhaps a sanguine estimate, but it is my hope.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will remember that there are on the Paper three or four Irish Bills—most of them of an uncontentious character. Still, they will require some discussion, and the Belfast Bating Bill will take some time.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI quite appreciate the fact that the hon. Member does 82 not want these discussions to be taken late in the evening. I will put them down on Wednesday, and hope we may reach them fairly early.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)Will the right hon. Gentleman take a Saturday sitting in order to expedite public business?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThere will, no doubt, be a Saturday sitting next week.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWould a meeting on Saturday next interfere with the Blenheim garden party?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURVery much.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWill the right hon. Gentleman fix a definite day for the Belfast Bill? I believe ther eare several deputations in London awaiting its coming on.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am anxious to bring it on as soon as I can, but I am hampered by not being able to tell how long will be required for the consideration of the Bills coming down from the Grand Committee.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDasked if other business was to be taken after Supply was disposed of.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think it may be convenient to take one or two small Bills, etc.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIs that not in contravention of the rule which provides that on days alloted to Supply no other business shall be taken?
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDAnd was not that rule enforced against us in the matter of the Catholic University Bill?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMay I point out that on ordinary days of Supply no opposed business can he taken after twelve o'clock, and under such circumstances no doubt such a rule is desirable and convenient. But now we have reached a period of the session when the twelve o'clock rule is suspended, and we can go on until any hour.