§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)Can the Leader of the House give us any definite information with reference to the business for next week; will any other than the Budget Bill be taken, and when will the House rise for the holidays.
§ Mr. A. J. BALFOURI can make no forecast of business for next week until I know the amount of time that will he likely to be occupied with debate upon the Finance Bill. That Bill and the Second Reading of the Loan Bill will be the first business next week, and it will be a great disappointment to me if we do not get both.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDOne of my hon. friends has a Notice on the Paper raising the question of Irish financial relations with this country. It may be impossible to bring it on on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill, as it may be ousted by an Amendment from the Front Opposition Bench. Can the right hon. Gentleman give some assurance that during the close of the session we shall have an opportunity of discussing it?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI will consider the suggestion that opportunity should be afforded to discuss the financial relations between England and Ireland. I hope the hon. Member does not desire to make it an annual ceremony. I do not desire to minimise the importance of the subject, but in the limited time at our disposal it surely is not necessary to discuss it every year.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDIt is in the power of the right hon. Gentleman to put an end to this "annual ceremony" as he calls it. Hut I would remind him that the facts vary from year to year, and there is a great increase with the burden put on Ireland by the pursuance of a policy of which she disapproves.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)Will the Finance Bill be taken day by day next week?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Do the Government propose to make any modification of the clause relating to the cheque stamp duty?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI am now in communication with the Bankers' Association on the subject, and, if I have any statement to make on the matter, it will be made on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill.
§ SIR ALBERT ROLLIT (Islington, S.)Can the First Lord of the Treasury say anything about the Whitsuntide recess?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy forecast—and it must not be taken as more than a forecast—is that the House will rise on Friday in next week and will reassemble on the Thursday following.