HC Deb 05 August 1902 vol 112 cc675-8
MR. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)

Is it the intention of the Prime Minister to adhere to the programme of business as sketched in the morning papers?

MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that. I wish to ask what he intends to do with the Licensing Bill and the Patents Bill. After what hour will he promise not to take them?

THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

As regards the Licensing Bill, I understand the Lords have made very small modifications upon the measure, modifications which are not really of a contentious character, and I can give no pledge that it will not be taken at a late hour. The Patent Law Amendment Bill will not be taken late. If the seventh Clause of the Education Bill is not finished to-morrow (Wednesday) it will have to be taken on Thursday at the morning sitting, instead of the Motion for adjournment.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

Then what about the business after the Motion for adjournment. I know that the right hon. Gentleman is in a difficulty in settling a definite programme, but it would be a convenience to Members to know what the programme is, and especially what is to be done with the three Irish Bills. What steps does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take to fulfil his pledges as to these Bills?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I think that in the stress of public business, owing to the prolonged discussion of matters that usually pass without debate, the hon. Member's view was that these Bills can hardly come on until the Autumn session.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

My view?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have been erroneously informed, perhaps. My idea is to take the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill tomorrow as the first Order, and I shall propose to take the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill and the Motion for adjournment for the holidays on Friday. If we do not—as I do not wish to contemplate—finish the seventh Clause of the Education Bill tomorrow or Thursday, then, of course, the holidays will have to be postponed.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

Then may I take it for granted that the Prime Minister proposes to postpone the further stages of the three Irish Bills until the autumn session?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Unless we are more fortunate in getting through our business, then I am afraid we must reconcile ourselves to that unhappy result.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

There is one other question to which I wish to call the attention of the Prime Minister. It will be in the recollection of the right hon. Gentleman that I asked him for an opportunity of debating the Report of the Select Committee which inquired into the imprisonment of the hon. Member for Sligo for contempt of court. The right hon. Gentleman promised to look into the matter, and I now ask whether, in accordance with precedent, the Government will afford opportunities for a discussion of the Report.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have looked into the precedents—I will not say I have given them detailed study—but as I read them they do not absolutely bear on this case. In the Wellesley case there was no question, of a day being asked for; in Mr. Dwyer Grey's case a day was asked for and refused by Mr. Gladstone; while Mr. Sheehy's case is not a case in point. In that case the hon. Member was served with a summons in the precincts of the House, a great deal of feeling was excited, and a day was given for the discussion. At any rate, I cannot promise a day for the consideration of this case before the adjournment. Whether it is possible or desirable to give a day later, remains a matter for consideration. If a day is given, I think it should be for the purpose of arriving at a distinct conclusion that in future, questions of criminal contempt of Court ought not to be dealt with by Committees of the House where they stand absolutely on all fours with other indictable offences.

MR. BRYCE

As to the proposal of the right hon. Gentleman to take both the Motion for the adjournment and the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill on Friday, we on this side must not be understood as assenting to the arrangement. There may be a great many questions insufficiently discussed, especially as the right hon. Gentleman does not propose to give us a full day to-

morrow for the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill.