HC Deb 27 May 1903 vol 123 cc28-9
MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

Can the First Lord of the Treasury now say anything positive as to his arrangements for the business of the House?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

With reference to the adjournment for the Whitsun holiday. I believe the arrangement most convenient to the House will be that I move to-morrow that the House, at its rising at 7.30, do adjourn till Monday week, 8th June. That, at any rate, will be the substance of the Motion.

SIR ALBERT ROLLIT (Islington, S.)

Will Supply be taken on the Monday and Tuesday after we reassemble?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

On the Monday. On Tuesday we begin with the Second Reading of the Finance Bill.

SIR ALBERT ROLLIT

What Supply?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Perhaps the hon. Gentle man will put that question to me to-morrow. It is quite light the House should know before the holidays.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Will the right hon. Gentleman put down the 3rd Section of Vote 8 (Navy) to afford the Committee an opportunity of discussing the subsidies to merchant cruisers?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I will consider that; but one strong reason against it is that there is no chance whatever of the President of the Board of Trade being in his place on that date. On Tuesday I propose to begin the Second Reading of the Finance Bill.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

When will the Irish Land Bill be taken?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

After the Finance Bill. It is my earnest desire to begin at once the consideration of the Irish land Bill. That will be the next important business, and I shall desire to take that measure continuously for some considerable period. I propose to take, under the ten minutes rule, the Sugar Convention Bill to-morrow.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I may point out that the subsidies I referred to are Admiralty subsidies.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Those to the Cunard and other companiies.