§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what business will be taken after the holidays? I presume there is no serious intention of taking the Second Reading of the Aliens Bill on the first day on which we meet. I may point out that although there is a considerable interval between the two dates it is not a Parliamentary interval, and Members will have no opportunity of consulting one another? Also what Supply will be taken on Thursday?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI thought I had already announced in unmistakable language that I propose to take the Second Reading of the Aliens Bill on the Tuesday on which the House re-assembles, and I explained the grounds on which I hold that that was a legitimate proceeding. I really do not see how any one can object to it.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI object.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI must say I think the objection most unreasonable. The principle of the Bill was carried on Second Reading last year by an enormous majority. I was bitterly reproached last year on the ground that I had wasted the time of the House over Supply in the earlier stages of the session instead of getting on with the Aliens Bill; I have now done my best to get on with the Bill. I have no 608 desire to inconvenience any section of the House.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThis is the principal Bill of the session, and, if the proposed course is adopted, only one Parliamentary day will elapse between its introduction and Second Reading.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe fact that it is the principal Bill of the session is a reason for getting on with it. Hon. Members will have all the leisure of the holidays to meditate on the speeches they propose to deliver. I shall put down as the second order on Tuesday, May 2nd, the Report of the Budget Resolutions, which on the following day will be the first order. On Thursday, Civil Service Estimates, Class I., will betaken, leaving out the Irish Votes; Vote 4, the Houses of Parliament, will stand first, and then Votes 1, 2, and 3, Palaces and Parks.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)Could not the right hon. Gentleman take the Second Reading of the Unemployed Bill on the Tuesday? It is of immeasurably greater importance.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have been told I ought not to take the Aliens Bill because it is so important. How can I reconcile the two things?
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEIt is much less controversial.
§ MR. LOUGHCould not the right hon. Gentleman take Supply on Tuesday, and put the Aliens Bill down for Thursday? We had no opportunity of discussing that Bill on the First Reading.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThat would require a special Resolution. I really see no objection to the course I have suggested.
§ MR.RUNCIMAN (Dewsbury)pointed out that hon. Members had had no opportunity of putting down Questions to the Home Secretary with regard to-various points in the Bill.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURreplied that, though, it was perfectly legitimate to put down Questions in regard to a Bill, the better time to raise them was on the Bill itself.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEWhen will the Second Reading of the Unemployed Bill be taken?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am afraid I cannot make any statement as to that.
§ MR. BLACK (Banffshire)When will the Scottish Education Bill be taken?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI hope on an early day after Easter.