HC Deb 23 June 1902 vol 109 cc1398-9
MR. GRETTON (Derbyshire, S.)

May I ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is the intention of the Government to take the Licensing Bill at the Morning or Evening Sitting this day.

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is in order in asking urgent Questions relating to the business of the House, and I think this one comes within that category.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have every reason to believe that the Education Bill will not be finished before the close of business and therefore anticipate that the Licensing Bill will not come on.

MR. LAMBERT

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, the Questions I have on the Paper, viz., if he will state the intentions of the Government with regard to imposing on the local rates the whole cost if administering the Education Bill. I beg also to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can state the effect of the Education Bill upon Endowments now applied to elementary education; whether these endowments will be diverted; if so, to what purpose.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

May I say that in accordance with what I said to the House last Thursday I shall ask permission to make a statement with reference to the financial proposals of the Government.

† The points arising on the amendment of the Standing Order "Questions to Members" are fully stated in the Indexes to Volumes ci—cvii, under the title "Questions in the House." The Standing Order, as it finally emerged from the discussions, is set out in Vol. cvii, at page 285. Its concluding words may be reproduced here: "If [a starred Question] … is not reached by live minutes before three of the clock, the Minister to whom it is addressed shall cause an answer to be printed and circulated with the Votes, unless the Member has signified his desire to postpone the Question."—[ED.]

MR. SPEAKER

The righthon. Gentleman can, of course, do so by leave of the House.

SIR H. GAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

What is to be the business this week?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

At the evening sitting on Tuesday I shall move a Motion enabling the House to rise for the Coronation holidays. The Wednesday afternoon sitting will, I hope, conclude the Third Reading of the Finance Bill. The Education Bill will be proceeded with on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. WEIR

I beg to move the unopposed Return which stands in my name.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member must now do that after 12 o'clock.