§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate the course of business next week? Will he state the general order in which he proposes to take the Bills that remain to be dealt with?
§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)And will he also kindly state when he pro-noses to take the Committee stage of the Sugar Convention Bill, in which great interest is felt?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURTo-night, after 12 o'clock, I hope to take the Report. Of the Public Offices Resolution and the Second Readings of the Public Works Loans, Public Buildings Expenses, and Sheep Scab Bills. None of these are likely to give rise to serious discussion. The Committee stage of the Irish Development Grant Bill, in regard to which an arrangement has been come to which meets the views of all parties, the Military Works Bi1l, and the Naval Works Bill, will be the principal work of to-morrow. I understand the last Bill will not take any time, but the Militant Works Bill will no doubt lead to debate. The South African Loan Bill, the Employ-anent of Children Bill, and the Patriotic Fund Bill will also be put down. On Monday, in Supply, I propose to take the Army Estimates, the Civil Services and Supplementary Estimates. It will be necessary to introduce two new Supplementary Votes; one in connection with President Loubet's visit to this country, and the other in connection with the Irish Development Grant Bill, which has been taken off the Consolidated Fund and put on the Estimates. These Supplementary Estimates cannot be taken within the hours of an allotted day. They must be put clown for after twelve o'clock, and I shall have to move a Resolution to that effect. On Tuesday, as at present advised. I shall take the Second Reading of the Motor-Car Bill and the Committee stage of the Sugar Convention Bill. I think there is a general agreement that the motor-car question should be dealt with before the House rises, and, though there may be a lengthened discussion in Committee, I do not think the Second Reading ought to take long. Perhaps I may be allowed 918 to leave the latter part of the week for a subsequent statement.
§ MR. LOUGHI hope the right hon. Gentleman will carry out the arrangement that the Sugar Bill shall not be taken after midnight. We want to have a fair discussion before twelve o'clock.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI hope there will be plenty of time to discuss it before midnight I am anxious that as much as possible of the debate on the Sugar Convention Bill shall take place before midnight, and, as far as lies in my power, I will see that that is done, but I cannot give any pledge on the subject.
§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)When does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI hope that Bill will be taken on an early day next week.
§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)reminded the Prime Minister that on 2nd July some fifteen Votes (including the Local Government Board) were passed without debate, and expressed a hope that some Opportunity would be afforded for discussing them on Report.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThey are down for to-night.
GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Can the First Lord of the Treasury say when the agreements with the Morgan Shipping Line and the Cunard Company, which, I understand, have been concluded, will be submitted to the House for discussion.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir. My hon. friend is right in saying that the agreements have been concluded, and, therefore, they are ripe for discussion in this House, but it is not easy for me, at the present moment, to find a day for that discussion.
§ MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)asked if an opportunity would be given to discuss the Law Officers Vote, and
§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)asked as to the Army Votes.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI will endeavour through the ordinary channels to find out in what order it will be most convenient to take the remaining Votes.