§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)I should like to ask the First Lord if he can give me an indication what Bills it is proposed to take on Monday and Tuesday next, if there is time; and when the House will rise for the Easter recess.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs the House knows it is proposed on Monday afternoon to take the Report of the Navy Votes A and 1, and Votes 13 and 15. I do not 1233 think it is very likely that on that afternoon much leisure will remain for legislation. In the evening it is proposed to take the report of the Vote on Account; also the report of Ways and Means and the first reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill. I do not think much else can be done. On Tuesday afternoon the second reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill will be taken. Any question may be raised on that, and I do not think much time will be left for legislation on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday afternoon it is proposed to take the Committee stage of the Consolidated Fund Bill. On that no debate can take place, and it is proposed to allocate that afternoon to the introduction of the Irish Land Bill. On Thursday the Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill will be taken at the afternoon sitting, and after that Supply. As to Supply I should be glad to know what Votes hon. Gentlemen would like brought on. On Thursday there can be no question of legislation. It is a Supply day.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)Is it intended to move the Speaker out of the Chair on the Civil Service Estimates before Easter?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, I should think that the motion that the Speaker leave the Chair for going into Committee on the Civil Service Estimates should be made before Easter.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDThen as there are some motions down of a very important character I hope the right hon. Gentleman will give us as long notice as possible.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, I will take cure to give a few days notice, I have not yet worked out in detail the programme before the Easter holidays. It is a little premature to say on what date the House ought to separate. The question is an agreeable subject of reflection.
§ MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)Will Thursday next be considered a counted day for Supply?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe business is Supply. It is not for me to interpret the rules.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)asked whether it was not a fact that under the new rules Supply must be the first order of the day, and that the Bill must, consequently, be put second. Is it proposed to introduce the Irish Laud Bill in the House or in Committee?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIn the House.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI must have notice about the Standing Orders. I cannot carry them in my head.