§ MR. CALDWELLsaid he did not think it was intended that this Bill was to be taken tonight. It would have been all right if hon. Members had received notice that it was to be taken in Committee; but it was always understood that on Supply night such business should not be taken after twelve o'clock. This was only a question of fair dealing with the House, for the Bill could be easily run through in Committee, after the recess, in the usual way. He thought the Chancellor of the Exchequer had been very well treated, and he had also treated the Opposition very well in connection with these Bills; but if the Committee stage of the Loan Bill was to be forced through tonight, the Government would find that they would not make progress with other measures. He moved that progress be reported.
§ Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Caldwell.)
§ * THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.said he thought it had been distinctly understood that the Committee stage of the Loan Bill should not be opposed, and that the Government would 476 give opportunity for debate on the Third Reading. Of course, the Committee stage of a Bill of this nature was merely a formal matter.
§ MR. CALDWELLsaid that the question really was that they did not expect the Bill to come on at this time. If the Chancellor of the Exchequer had given due notice, then, of course, the Bill would have passed through Committee.
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHwas understood to say that, if the Committee stage was to be regarded as formal after the recess, he had no objection to progress being reported.
§ Committee to sit again upon Tuesday, 27th May.