HC Deb 23 July 1903 vol 126 cc87-8
SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)

Will the Prime Minister tell us what business he proposes to take to-morrow and next week?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I propose to put down as the first order to-morrow the Second Reading of the Military Lands Bill. That. I think, will meet with general approval. The second order will be the Naval Works Bill, Committee, and the third order the Employment of Children Bill. I propose, as at present advised, to put down the Second Reading of the South African Loans Bill as the first order on Monday. On Tuesday I shall propose to suspend the 12 o'clock Rule, and the rest of that day and the whole of Wednesday will be devoted to the Second Reading of the Sugar Bounties Bill.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I would like to remind the right hon. Gentleman of what was said the other day as to the undesirability that the debate on the Sugar Bounties Bill should be curtailed by the discussion of the Motion to suspend the 12 o'clock Rule. It is also exceedingly undesirable that the debate should be taken at an hour when it cannot be fully repotted.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have endeavoured to make an arrangement which I hope will be convenient to the House. My original idea was that the morning and evening sittings of one day would give adequate time for the discussion of the Sugar Bounties Bill, the principle of which has been admitted.

MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

No, no!

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The principle of which has been admitted by a Resolution of the House passed last session. But I understood that the right hon. Gentleman's view was that one day would not be sufficient. I have endeavoured to meet that view by saying that, although I propose to suspend the 12 o clock Rule on Tuesday, I do not propose to confine the debate on the Second Reading of the Sugar Bounties Bill to that day. I shall be glad to give the whole of Wednesday, in addition to the part of Tuesday not occupied by the discussion on the Motion to suspend the 12 o'clock Rule. I hope the right hon. Gentleman will feel that that goes a long way to meet his views.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I do not know how far it goes, but it certainly does not meet my views, as a large part of the first day will be occupied in discussing questions that will be raised on the Motion to suspend the 12 o'clock Rule.

MR. LOUGH

The right hon. Gentleman really gains nothing by that plan. Why not take the Bill first and the suspension of the 12 o'clock Rule debate later; the discussion would not be unduly prolonged.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

If hon. Gentlemen do not wish to discuss the Motion for the suspension of the 12 o'clock Rule, which I have put off until a late period in the session, the whole of the two days can be devoted to the Second Reading of the Sugar Convention Bill.