§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)I wish to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can now make a statement, or, if not, when he can do so, as to the probable course of business for the remainder of the session.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy review of the outstanding obligations in regard to 871 legislation for the remainder of the session will come, I think, better when I move the suspension of the Twelve o'clock Rule, the date for which is approaching. It will probably be in the course of next week. As regards the immediate business before us, the Irish Land Bill is down for Report to-morrow as the first order, and from all I can learn we shall be able, I think, to have the good fortune to finish that stage during the sitting. In that event I pro pose to take on Monday the Scottish Licensing Bill, the Employment of Children Bill, and the Naval Works Bill, and other business on Monday. I contemplate taking the Third Reading of the Land Bill on Tuesday.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the Irish Estimates could be taken on Monday. We have had no opportunity of discussing them this session.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThat is the first time the suggestion has been made to me. I will consider it, and the House will therefore regard what I first stated as to Monday as subject to alteration in consequence of the appeal of the hon. Member.
§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)The suspension of the Twelve o'clock Rule is apparently to be proposed at a much earlier date this session than in previous sessions.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Member may rest assured that I have no desire to suspend the Rule prematurely. My only object is that we may arrive at the prorogation somewhere about the usual date. It certainly will not be done in any spirit of levity.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI hope that such a measure as the Sugar Convention Bill will not be taken under the Twelve o'clock Rule. This is a new measure, not the worn-out fag-end of a controversy; it is perfectly new matter, and the suspension of the 872 Twelve o'clock Rule ought not to be put in operation with regard to it.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI appreciate the spirit of that remark, but I must remind the right hon. Gentleman that the essence of the Bill was discussed last session. (Cries of "No, no.") I perfectly recognise that the House desires to discuss the Second Reading, and I certainly shall put the Bill down as the first order.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI was referring rather to the end than do not want the discussion to be prolonged to three or four o'clock in the morning.
§ MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL (Oldham)When will it be put down?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt would be premature for me to make any arrangement for the discussion on the Second Reading of the Bill until I know how many Members desire to make their views heard, and what is the degree of novelty and variety in the speeches likely to be made.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)I suppose we may take it that no fresh Bills will be brought on for discussion after twelve o'clock.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUROf course it is not intended to introduce any new Bills under the Twelve o'clock Rule likely to lead to controversy, but there are some measures which are uncontroversial which might be introduced. It would be, I will not say a Parliamentary outrage, but a strong measure to introduce Bills under the Rule which are controversial.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLIs it proposed to star any private Members' Bills?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThis is another matter which ought to be deferred until I move the suspension of the Twelve o'clock Rule.