HC Deb 18 July 1904 vol 138 cc289-90
MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can state when the consideration of the proposals of the Secretary of State for War for the reduction of the land forces of the Crown will be resumed.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I hope to take both this Vote and the Colonial Vote in the course of next week, but I cannot give any pledge at present.

MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL

I presume the right hon. Gentleman intends to give an entire day to the Army Vote.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, I certainly cannot give a pledge of that character, but it will be put down as the first Order.

MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that, owing to the discussion of a very important private Bill last Thursday, the War Office Vote only occupied four and three-quarter hours, of which two and a quarter hours were occupied, very properly, by the Secretary for War himself?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have no grounds for doubting the hon. Gentleman's calculation.