HC Deb 27 June 1904 vol 136 cc1264-5
SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government is now able to make the promised statement as to Army policy; and whether, in order to enable that statement to be made, Army Estimates will be taken on Thursday.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am afraid we cannot take this statement next Thursday because, unfortunately, it appears to be necessary for Treasury reasons to take the Reports of two Army and Navy Votes. I may add that I do not think next Thursday would be a very convenient day for discussing any large questions, because I am given to understand that most of the time in the second part of our sitting will be occupied with an important private Bill.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an idea, as definite as may be, when this statement will be made? The right hon. Gentleman must realise the fact that the Government set great store by their Army reorganisation policy, and they have not been questioned about it. They themselves, fixed the day for making that statement to the House, and they themselves, for some reason or other, postponed it. I think the right hon. Gentleman should see that it is hardly treating the House of Commons with due respect to adjourn a matter to which he himself has attributed such vital importance.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I agree with almost everything that has fallen from the right hon. Gentleman except the single statement that what we have done is in any sense treating the House of Commons with disrespect. I hope the statement will not be long delayed, but it cannot take place next Thursday.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

What are the Votes to which the right hon. Gentleman refers?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

They are the Reports of Army Vote No. 9 and Navy Vote No. 8, Sections 1 and 2, and the remaining Navy Votes which have passed the Committee. They will be put down as the first Order. The Civil Service Estimates, Class 1, will be put down as the second Order.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

What are the Treasury reasons?

MR. A.J. BALFOUR

Money is required to carry on the services of the country.