§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can now give the House a clear and more definite idea of the business for each day until August 8th. I may take the opportunity of recalling to the right hon. Gentleman's recollection the fact that there is a vote for excesses in the Army Estimates of the previous year which was put off in order that it might be considered by the Public Accounts Committee. That has now been done, and I wish to know when the opportunity for the discussion of this Vote which the right hon. Gentleman has promised will be given.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESThe right hon. Gentleman is probaby aware that on March 3rd the Vote was withdrawn on my representation. I would like to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will afford an opportunity for its consideration, as it has not yet been discussed.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGE (Carnarvon Boroughs)May I at the same time ask what the Government proposes to do with regard to the money for the repatriation of the Boer prisoners, and whether a day will be given for the consideration of the matter.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI cannot answer the last Question. There are fourteen days still remaining, including today, before the House will adjourn for the recess. There will be eleven afternoon sittings, eleven evening sittings, and three Fridays. Five days must be devoted to finishing the Estimates, and I shall have to find an evening sitting for dealing with the Supplementary Estimate referred to by the right hon. Gentleman. Next Friday has been given for the discussion of the financial relations between Ireland and England; there will have to be opportunities for discussing the Appropriation Bill and the Motion for the holidays. In spite of all these obligations, it ought to be possible to find an afternoon and an evening sitting for the London Water Bill, and three whole days more, including today, for the Education Bill, which I hope, will be ample to finish the Clause on which we are now engaged. I also hope to find opportunities of advancing the two Irish Bills of which mention has been made, and also the Food and Drugs Bill, which I believe to be non-controversial. For these purposes it will be necessary to suspend the twelve o'clock rule at the end of the month, but it may be some consolation to hon. Members to know that this will be done at a later period than has been customary for many years past.