§ On the Motion for adjournment,
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.in moving the adjournment of the House, said: I have to announce with mnch regret that my right hon. friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be prevented by indisposition from moving the Budget tomorrow. But I understand that we may, with confidence, expect his return to the House on Monday; and on that day, therefore, I shall move to suspend the twelve o'clock rule, and the Budget will be taken on that day and also on the day following. This leaves tomorrow and Friday vacant, and I think it will probably be for the general convenience that we should take the Rules of Procedure on those days.
§ Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)Will the right hon. Gentleman say what Rules will be taken on those two days, because some of them are fresh, and some, so to speak, are half consumed, and it would be convenient to know which we are to deal with.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe right hon. Gentleman has accurately described the position. I think that we should finish the Rule we were on when we separated last night. Then it would be convenient to go on with the Rule dealing with 1428 Supply, for the reason that, as the new proposals with regard to Questions only appeared on the Paper this morning, probably hon. Members would like a little more time to consider them than would be given if we commenced the discussion on them tomorrow.
§ MR. BROADHURST (Leicester)asked whether, if the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer was likely to be still indisposed on Monday, the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury would afford some further information on Friday as to further postponements.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid he hardly understood the hon. Gentleman. He had already said they might, with confidence, expect his right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to return on Monday.
* MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)said he apprehended that the suspension of the Twelve o'clock Rule on Monday was only a precautionary measure on the part of his right hon. friend with a view to avoiding revenue difficulties and not with any idea of a late sitting. He, however, wished to know whether it would be so arranged that the general discussion could be continued upon a subsequent Resolution in order to avoid any risk of urgent revenue arrangements being retarded.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid it was necessary to move the suspension of the Twelve o'clock Rule for the reason, as his right hon. friend was aware, that certain operations had to be performed on the very night on which the Budget statement was made.
* MR. JAMES LOWTHERsaid he asked the question because last year an arrangement was entered into with regard to the matter, and faith was not kept owing to some misapprehension, while the Chairman refused to allow the understanding to be carried out.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid he had no specific recollection of the matter to which his right hon. friend was alluding, but on this question there should be no misunderstanding this year.
§ Adjourned at twenty minutes before Six o'clock.