HC Deb 17 April 1902 vol 106 cc555-6
MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not know whether I am right in interposing, but I take it that the hon. Member for Waterford proposes to ask leave to move the adjournment. Personally, I should not raise any objection to that course on such an occasion as this, but it is evident that it must upset the programme of business which has by common consent been arranged for that evening. It is quite clear that if the subject of proclamation under the Crimes Act is started it must last some little time. I would suggest that it would be the most convenient course if the debate on the Motion for adjournment can be concluded in time to give the Reports of the Budget Resolutions which are non-controversial; and, if that were done, instead of devoting tomorrow to Supply I would ask the House to devote it to the general discussion on the Budget, which was to have taken place tonight. Monday has been arranged for another discussion, but the occasion is one on which the sound and useful practice of devoting Friday to Supply might be interrupted.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

Of course, it must be obvious that the discussion on Ireland will take a considerable time. If the right hon. Gentleman would take the general discussion on the Budget on Monday, going on with Supply as arranged tomorrow, I would not object to the taking of the Reports which the right hon. Gentleman desires this evening.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Monmouthshire, W.)

I would suggest that if the non-contentious Budget Resolutions are taken this evening it would be better to adhere to the taking of Supply tomorrow, Monday for the discussion of the Corn Duty, and Tuesday for the discussion on the whole Budget.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

There is force in the observations of the right hon. Gentleman, and perhaps some Members of the House have made arrangements for tomorrow which would be inconsistent with the taking of the discussion of the Budget on that day. My proposal is this—The remainder of this evening for the Motion for the adjournment of the House, and the Reports of the non-controversial Resolutions; tomorrow, Supply, as arranged; on Monday, the general discussion on the Budget, and on Tuesday, the discussion on the Corn Resolutions, together with the Report stage of the Income Tax Resolution.

MR. LOUGH

Will the right hon. Gentleman not keep over the Resolution on Stamps?

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I should like to point out that the stamp duty is a very controversial question.

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

I hope the House will agree to take the Resolution tonight, as I have promised to look into the matter and see what can be done, though I cannot make any announcement till the Report is taken.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

I think the arrangement suggested by the Leader of the House a very reasonable one.