HC Deb 30 June 1903 vol 124 cc929-30
SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)

I beg to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, in the temporary absence of the Prime Minister, what business it is proposed to take on Friday and next week.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir A. ACLAND-HOOD,) Somersetshire, Wellington

The first order on Friday will be a Resolution in Committee of the Whole House on which the Naval Works Bill is to be founded. The next order will be the further consideration of the Employment of Children Bill. Next week it is proposed to go on with the Committee stage of the Irish Land Bill.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Can the Government communicate to the House before Thursday the amount involved in the Naval Works Bill. Thursday, as I understand, will be the last occasion on which the Navy Estimates will be considered in Committee, and I put forward this suggestion in order that those interested may have a full view of the expenditure for naval purposes.

SIR A. ACLAND-HOOD

I will consult the Secretary to the Admiralty and give an answer to-morrow.

MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

What about the London Education Bill? Is it to be dropped?

SIR A. ACLAND-HOOD

The London Education Bill will certainly be proceeded with, and full notice will be given before it is again taken.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

Can the Chief Secretary for Ireland see his way to prolong the sitting a little after midnight on Wednesday in order to dispose of the matter which may then be in hand.

MR. WYNDHAM

doubted whether he was entitled to speak on this point. As far as he was personally concerned he would make no objection, but he would not like to place an undue strain on hon. Gentlemen behind him.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

Would it not be more satisfactory to take the Irish Land Bill on Friday?

MR. WYNDHAM

I cannot very conveniently do so, but the point shall be settled before to-morrow.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

asked the Prime Minister whether it would not be well to give some decision on that point at once in order that Members might know what to expect.

THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

If there were any chance of finishing the Irish Land Bill on Friday, I think it would be worth while making a great effort to bring about such a result, and, for that, the convenience of even the most important Member of the House might be waived. But unless some prospect can be held out of such a result I think it will be best to adhere to the original proposal.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

Anxious as I am to facilitate the passage of the Bill, I feel it would be utterly impossible to finish it on Friday.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

I hope the Chief Secretary will not entertain the idea of taking the financial clauses after midnight.

MR. WYNDHAM

No, I do not think we should do that. I understand the idea to be that if at twelve o'clock a non-contentious matter is under discussion it should be carried to completion. That point will be considered.