HC Deb 18 July 1905 vol 149 cc1083-4
MR. JOHN REDMOND

asked whether, in view of the change in the programme of Government business, the right hon. Gentleman could give the House any further information as to the course of business and the duration of the session.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

My hopes about the session are unchanged. I hope it will be possible to bring it to a conclusion at the end of the second week in August. The removal out of the Parliamentary path of the Redistribution Resolution may, I hope, facili[...]a[...]e the passage of legislation which otherwise would have been greatly imperilled. More than that I have nothing to say.

MR. DALZIEL

When will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a general statement as to the course of business?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I had better follow precedent and defer that until the time comes for suspending the 12 o'clock rule, when I shall make the usual statement about public business.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Is it quite settled we are not to have three extra days for Supply?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not see any interstices in the period now remaining to us.

SIR HENRY FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that out of 146 Votes to be submitted to the House only sixteen have as yet been passed; and under these circumstances is the Government going for the first time since the new rules were passed to reduce the time allotted to Supply?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not think that the passage of a Vote affords the smallest indication in modern practice of the time devoted to the discussion of Supply. I think we have devoted quite an. enormous amount of time to the discussion of Supply this year.