HC Deb 04 August 1902 vol 112 cc520-2
SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the order of business for Wednesday next?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It is still my hope that, in addition to taking the Appropriation Bill on Wednesday afternoon, the House will further proceed in the evening with the Education Bill.

MR. LODER (Brighton)

With reference to the Motion on the Paper standing in the name of the right hon. Gentleman, seeing that it is a very unusual one, will the First Lord state whether it is really necessary under the Standing Orders?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I will not say that it is absolutely necessary under the Standing Orders, but seeing that we are now working under new Standing Orders it is conceivable that Supply may be finished before midnight, and if the House will look at paragraph 5 of the Standing Order, I think it will see that this is a desirable Motion to be made.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

With reference to the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill, has it not been customary to allow a whole day for it? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a great many important questions to be raised?

MR. DILLON

said that hon. Members near him had some very important matters to bring forward. Was there any precedent for closuring the Bill?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

There is no question of precedent, as we have never before had to discuss the Bill under the existing Order on a divided day. I confess I should have thought five hours discussion adequate.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

What arrangements have been made for resuming the discussion on the Irish Bills which were before the House the other night?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I trust they may be taken tonight after we have concluded our strictly financial business.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

There is an understanding that we shall have adequate time for discussing a new Clause on Report of the Local Government Bill, and also for the Committee stage of the Marine Works Bill. The right hon. Gentleman must be very sanguine to

imagine that those pledges can be fulfilled by bringing on those Bills tonight.