§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)I wish to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a Question with reference to the business for tonight. The Vote for the Chief Secretary's salary has been put down for discussion on the Vote on Account, so as to enable Irish Members to discuss the action of the Irish Executive. We have heard with regret that the Chief Secretary is ill and unable to be in his place; but as 23 I do not think it would be a convenient course to adjourn the discussion, I would ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if arrangements will be made to take the Report of the Vote on Account at some fitting hour which will enable the Chief Secretary to speak, and allow some further discussion upon the matter.
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHI am sure that my right hon. friend regrets his inability to be present; and nothing but ill-health prevents him from being here to reply to the attacks which may be made against him. I will do my best to make the arrangements which the hon. and learned Member suggests.
§ MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Isle of Thanet)Can the Chancellor of the Exchequer make any statement about the business for Tuesday?
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHPerhaps I may anticipate a Question which the Leader of the Opposition has placed on the Paper for Monday. The right hon. Gentleman proposes to move: "That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into contracts and purchases made on behalf of the Government for His Majesty's forces in South Africa, in respect of remounts, meat, freights, and transport," and he has given notice that he will ask on Monday for a day to bring the Motion on. That is a Motion for which we feel bound to give every facility in our power. I suggest to the right hon. Gentleman the way in which the notice may be best dealt with. I had given notice yesterday that we proposed to begin the discussion of the Army Estimates on Thursday; but, after communicating with my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for War, I learn that he will be in a position to begin that debate on Tuesday, and to continue it, if necessary, on Thursday and Friday; so that next week we may obtain Vote A and Vote 1, which it is necessary to take before certain dates. On that assumption, Monday week shall be placed at the disposal of the right hon. Gentleman for the Motion of which he has given notice.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)I wish to acknowledge the spirit in which the right hon. 24 Gentleman proposes to meet my request. With regard to the preliminary debate on the Army Estimates, and the discussion of the first two Votes on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, as far as I am concerned, any influence which I possess will be used towards attaining the result suggested by the right hon. Gentleman. But he is aware that there are larger numbers among those who follow him who are vocally interested in Army Estimates than on this side of the House; and the attainment of the right hon. Gentleman's desires will depend rather on his own supporters.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)As it now appears that the debate on the new Rules can not be resumed next week, or on the following Monday, perhaps the Chancellor of the Exchequer will state on what date it is likely to be renewed
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHMy hon. friend is asking me to enter into the domain of prophecy. That I must decline to do.
§ MR. ALFRED DAVIESMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Budget will be introduced before or after Easter?
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHThat is a matter on which I must preserve my own counsel.