§ SIR ALBERT ROLLIT (Islington, S.)Can the First Lord of the Treasury state what business will be taken on Monday, the 26th inst., and during that week.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman proposes to take the Second Reading of the Irish Land Bill before or after the Committee stage of the Education Bill. It is a matter in which many of us are deeply interested.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I certainly do not mean to take the Irish Land Bill before the Committee stage of the Education Bill. I yesterday gave the House a general sketch of the business for the week. On Monday, the 26th inst., Supply will be taken, and on Tuesday and Wednesday the Committee stage of the Finance Bill. At the evening sitting on Wednesday we shall discuss the appointment of the Committee with reference to steamship subsidies. The Supply to be taken on the Monday afternoon will be Class 1, Votes 1 to 7, Board of Education, British Museum, National Gallery, etc., and at the evening sitting Class 5, putting first the Cyprus Vote, then Subsidies to Telegraph Companies, Consular and Diplomatic services, and Uganda. The Committee, whatever progress may be made at the morning sitting, will start with the Cyprus Vote at the evening sitting.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)Do I understand that the Finance Bill Committee will be taken daily until completed?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes. But I hope the Committee will be finished by Thursday.
§ MR. TALBOT (Oxford University)Do I understand that the first Vote on Monday will be the Education Vote?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir.
§ MR. TALBOTThat is a Vote which usually takes the whole day.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am aware that it sometimes takes considerable time, but I frankly say I think that, in a year in which we are discussing an Education Bill, even the most ardent educationist might be content with a very brief discussion on the Education Vote. At any rate, there will be from 2.30 to 7.30 to discuss it.
§ SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERY (Yorkshire, Shipley)May I ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in the week immediately succeeding the holidays, he can make any provision for a discussion on the question of the steamship combination, in accordance with the terms of the Motion in the name of the hon. Member for the Exchange Division of Liverpool. It is a matter in which many of us are deeply interested.
§ MR. MACIVER (Liverpool, Kirkdale)I wish respectfully to join in the appeal of my hon. friend.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe question is one of profound interest, and one which is engaging the anxious attention of the Government, but I cannot promise to find time for discussing it in the first week after we return, and I do not know that there would be anything desirable to discuss at that time.
§ SIR FORTESCUE FLANNERYThe right hon. Gentleman has said that this matter has engaged the anxious attention of the Government, but surely 486 it has done that for a month past, and the time is approaching when it might fairly be discussed by the House.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESCould it not be discussed on the Vote for the salary of the President of the Board of Trade?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think when the time comes for discussing it that might be a convenient method of raising it, but certainly I do not think the week after the holidays would be at all convenient.
MR. JAMES LOWTHERIs not there an immediate opportunity, at any rate for a preliminary discussion, on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House this afternoon, in view of the considerable anxiety on the subject? We might, immediately after the Motion for Adjournment has been carried, rise, and thus enable hon. Members who are anxious to catch their trains to get away, though probably my right hon. friend may prefer leaving that question in the hands of unofficial Members.
§ MR. MACIVERI think it would be a mistake to have a preliminary discussion. My hon. colleague the Member for the Exchange Division of Liverpool, in whose name the Motion stands, is not now here.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs I have said, I do not think this is a convenient time to discuss the question, as it is impossible for the Government to make any statement at the present time. No doubt it would be agreeable to most hon. Members to adjourn immediately after carrying the Motion for the holidays, but it would be most improper for me to make such a Motion.
§ MR. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)asked whether the Motion for the appointment of the Committee on steamship subsidies would not afford an opportunity for discussing some of the aspects of the shipping combination.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThat entirely depends on the ruling Mr. Speaker gives.