§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)I have to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what the business for this week will be, what will be the duration of the Whitsuntide recess, and what will be the first business when we resume.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am in a little difficulty in answering, as it is not easy to say what time the House will desire for the consideration of the two Bills which I think ought to be read a second time before the holidays—the Budget Bill and the Loan Bill. The House is rather behindhand at present in the number of Supply days, of which only six counting days have so far been taken. I think, therefore, we ought either to have a counting day of Supply on Thursday next or on the Thursday after Whit Monday. I do not see how we can take it on Thursday next unless the Budget can be disposed of in two nights, and the Loan Bill read in an afternoon sitting. In that case I will move the adjournment for the holidays on Friday morning, and the House need not resume until the Monday week. But if the Finance Bill takes a longer time, and Thursday has to be given to the Loan Bill, I shall have to ask the House to come back on the Thursday after Whitsuntide for a Supply day.
§ MR. DAVID THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)What Supply will be taken on the Thursday we come back?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI must ask that that Question be deferred till tomorrow. I certainly have not received any encouraging intimation that the House will be prepared to follow the course I have suggested in regard to the business of this week.