COLONEL WELBYIs it intended to take the Committee on the Militia and Yeomanry Bill after the London Water Bill?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON () Tower Hamlets, PoplarI see that the right hon. Gentleman proposes to move the suspension of the Twelve o'Clock Rule if the London Water Bill is not disposed of by midnight. I hope he will confirm the arrangement, which was certainly understood, that, supposing the Bill is finished before twelve o'clock, no substantial Government business will be taken after it.
§ MR. CAREW () Meath, S.When is it, proposed to proceeed with the Irish Local Government Bill?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIn answer to the various Questions that have been addressed to me, I have lo say that I shall not propose to take the Militia Bill after the Water Bill today if it is regarded as contentious; but I rather hope that the arrangement made by general consent yesterday will prevent it being treated as contentious; otherwise I shall put it down for tomorrow. The proposed suspension of the Twelve o'Clock Rule only applies to the Water Bill, and will not give the Government a general licence to go on with their business after midnight.
§ MR. LOUGH () Islington, WSome of us object to the suspension.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes; I am aware that there is a difference of opinion between the hon, gentleman and his friends. As regards tomorrow (Thursday) the first business will be the Report of the Committee on the Uganda Railway, the second Order will be the Osborne Estate Bill, and the third the Militia Bill. But I do not desire absolutely to pledge myself as to the order in which these various Bills will be taken, though certainly the Uganda Railway Bill will be the first. For Friday it may be for the convenience of the House to take a measure which, I believe, meets the wishes of Irish representatives belonging to many sections and interests, and which I am sure it is for the interests of Ireland that Parliament should pass in the course of the present session, the Irish Local Government Bill.