§ MR. PAULTON (Durham, Bishop Auckland)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the attention of His Majesty's Government has been drawn to the question of making such alteration in the date at which Parliament is usually summoned to meet as would conduce to bringing the session to an end early in July; and whether they will consider the advisability of appointing a Joint Committee of both Houses to deliberate and report upon the subject.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg at the same time to ask the first Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the vote upon the subject in another place, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to take steps to alter the time of year at which Parliament shall assemble for the transaction of business.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURPersonally I should be delighted if the session ended in July; and in order to obtain that desirable result, if it could be so obtained, I should personally not object to meeting earlier. But I am afraid, if this House decides to meet earlier, that when July comes round it will be found that we will still have to sit till 12th August, and the result of the change will be not a diminution of our labours, but an augmentation of them. For these reasons I look with some scepticism upon the plan which has been suggested by the House of Lords.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to remedy the painful situation of this House being at variance with the House of Lords?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf the differences between the two Houses are never on more important points I do not think it is a matter which need trouble us.