HC Deb 02 May 1904 vol 134 cc127-8
Sir H. CAMPBELL BANNEKMAN (Stirling Burghs)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman as to the business of the House? There is one point in which hon. Members are specially interested, and that is what Bills the right hon. Gentleman will take to-night if the debate on the Scottish Education Bill should conclude before mid-night.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

If the debate concludes before tweleve o'clock I shall endeavour to take some uncontroversial Bills. Perhaps my hon. friend the Member for the Wellington Division of Somerset will consult with the right hon. Gentleman opposite as to the Bills to be taken.

Sir HENRY FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)

I hope the right hon. Gentleman will exclude the India Councils Bill from the list of noncontentious Bills.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Yes.

MR. BUCHANAN

What will be done after the Budget Resolutions to-morrow?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

While I nope the Budget Resolutions may not occupy the whole of the sitting to-morrow, I am obliged to consider the possibility of the reverse: and as the Government have not been allowed to enjoy the privileges of their predecessors in regard to the Report of the Resolutions in Ways and Means, I must ask the House to suspend the Twelve O'clock Rule. Wednesday will be devoted to the Bishoprics of Southwark and Birmingham Bill, and Thursday to Supply, but not the Irish Estimates. No great desire has been expressed for any special discussion on the Estimates on Thursday, and I will leave my hon. friend the Member for the Wellington Division of Somerset to arrange to suit the general convenience of hon. Members.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of putting down the Cunard Agreement as second Order to-morrow? I cannot say it is uncontroversial, but the right hon. Gentleman has said it is desirable it should go through without delay.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I should have thought that the Cunard Agreement Committee was in no sense a Party matter or one against which a large number of Members desired to raise objection. If reasonable progress is made with the other business I shall place the Cunard Agreement as the second Order.

MR. LOUGH (Islington. W.)

Is there any precedent for suspending the Twelve O'clock Rule so early in the session?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

There are numerous precedents for the suspension of the Twelve O'clock Rule on the Budget Resolutions as well as on other matters.