§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)asked the First Lord of the Treasury if he could lay down a more definite programme for business next week, especially in reference to Supply on Thursday, and if the right hon. Gentleman could fix a day for the discussion of the Sugar Convention Bill.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR () Manchester, E.said some ambiguity was thrown over the proceedings for next week; and having looked into the matter he believed the most convenient course would be to take the Irish Estimates on Monday, assuming that the Report stage of the Irish Land Bill would be finished during the afternoon. If that stage should not be completed it would not be possible to take the remaining portion of the Bill on Monday and Irish Estimates afterwards, for that would be contrary to the rule for taking Supply as the first Order. Irish Supply would be taken on Monday if the Report stage of the Land Bill finished by half-past Five. On Tuesday he proposed to put the Third Reading of the Land Bill as first order, and to follow with the Licensing Acts (Scotland) Bill, Report, the Employment of Children Bill, the Metropolitan Streets Bill, and the Committee on the Naval Works Bill, in the order mentioned. He could not yet say what would be the first order on "Wednesday. On Thursday the Foreign Office Vote and the Colonial Office Vote would be put down, and he would comply with the general desire as to which of these should be first order. In these circumstances it would not be possible to take the Sugar Convention Bill next week.
§ SIR. H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid as to the preference between the Colonial Office Vote and the Foreign Office Vote he would gather opinions by Monday.
§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)said the decision on this point should be known as soon as possible, because it might make a difference in the arrangements hon. Members desired to make.