§ MR. LODER (Brighton)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether any objection exists to varying the order in which the items of the Civil Service Supplementary Estimates are put down in different years, so that some of the more important Supplementary Votes may be taken first; and, if not, whether he will arrange for some change to be made in this respect next year.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have to say there is no objection, so far as I know, to the suggestion contained in the question, which is in entire accordance with the policy we have followed the last two years back, with regard to the order in which the Estimates are taken. As my hon. friend is aware, we have initiated the practice of putting down on the Vote on Account the Estimates which are most likely to attract the interest and attention of the House. We have, in regard to the ordinary Estimates of the year, taken care so to arrange them as to meet the general convenience of the House, and I see no reason why the same policy should not be extended to the Civil Service Supplementary Estimates.
§ MR. DILLONWill the right hon. Gentleman give a pledge to adhere to the practice of not altering the order of tin Votes without a general consultation with the different sections of the House?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURT do not know what the hon. Member means by "general consultation." I have endeavoured always to meet the views of the House at large, and especially of the opponents of the Government.