HC Deb 14 March 1905 vol 142 cc1394-6
ME. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what Estimates he proposes to take on Wednesday and Thursday, and why has he altered the arrangement made to take Supplementary Estimates to-day.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

It would also be a convenience if the right hon. Gentleman can tell us what will be taken on Monday?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It is quite true that I had hoped to be able to proceed with Supplementary Estimates to-day. Subsequent to the announcement which I made to that effect yesterday the adjournment was moved and the order of business was to that extent upset, and we did not make as much progress as was expected. We therefore continue discussion with Vote 1 to-day. I think it probable that on Thursday we shall go on with the Supplementary Estimates, and on Monday with the Vote on Account. As regards to-morrow, I have to give notice that I have been carefully examining the condition of Supply in reference to the legal obligation under which the Government and the House lie to deal with certain financial matters before the end of the financial year, and I have come to the conclusion that without taking special measures there is no possibility of attaining that object. I propose to move a Resolution to-morrow with the view of attaining that object. I cannot at the moment give the terms of the Resolution which I shall move, though I hope to announce them to-night before the adjournment of the House. I may say generally that the lines on which I shall proceed are those which govern the final stages of ordinary Supply.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he seriously expected yesterday to take Vote A and Vote 1 of the Navy Estimates in a single sitting of the House. Has he ever known such a thing?

MR. BRYCE

Is the House to understand by what the right hon. Gentleman has just told it that it is proposed to suspend the 12 o'clock rule to-morrow? Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate more specifically what he means?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

If I may judge from some informal interruptions, my meaning is perfectly apprehended by most of those opposite. The procedure contemplated is not precisely identical with, but is analogous to, that by which we close the annual Supply of the year.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

When does the right hon. Gentleman propose to put this new guillotine rule down for discussion?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I propose to put it down to-morrow for discussion.

MR. BUCHANAN (Perthshire, E. )

May I ask whether the limitation of discussion to which the House is to be made to submit is not really due to the late summoning of Parliament and the late presentation of the Estimates?

*MR. SPEAKER

That does not relate to the course of business?

MR. JOHN REDMOND

May I ask whether, in view of this important announcement of a new, important, and far-reaching rule, the right hon. Gentleman does not think longer notice should be given, inasmuch as it will be impossible for hon. Members to put on the Paper the Amendments they will desire to move.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I quite understand objection being taken to the principle of the proposal I shall make, and no doubt exception will be so taken; but I do not think that longer notice is required, nor is it in accordance with the ordinary practice of this House.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

There is no precedent for such a Motion at this date.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

There are precedents, unfortunately, for the state of business in this House instantly requiring the taking of exceptional measures.