HC Deb 11 May 1905 vol 146 cc60-1
SIR H. CAMFBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)

I desire to ask for information as to the course of public business next week.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The business for Monday will be the Second Reading of the Budget Bill. I understand that the course of procedure most convenient to the House will be that a discussion on the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland should be taken first, and that any general discussion should be taken subsequent to that. If that is a convenient course it is not one to which I shall take objection. The first business after the Budget will, as far as I can see, be the Rating Bill, which will follow immediately after. I hope we shall be able to finish the Budget Bill on Monday.

*MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)

When is it proposed to take the Second Reading of the Unemployed Bill?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am unable to state when the Second Reading of that Bill will be taken.

*MR. KEIR HARDIE

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question is one of increasing urgency and importance, and that riots are threatened in many parts of the country because there is no machinery for dealing with the unemployed.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No doubt there may be difficulties here and there, but I cannot regard the Bill as a pressing one in the sense that it makes much difference whether the Bill is taken a little sooner or a little later. It is a winter grievance and not a summer one.

*MR. KEIR HARDIE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 400 men in Leicester, some of whom have been out of work now for close on two years, yesterday demanded the passing of this Bill immediately. I venture to say the question is urgent all the year round.

[No Answer was returned.]

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY (Somersetshire, S.)

When will the Sale of Butter Bill be taken? Will it be next week?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have sketched out the business for next week, and I do not know if the hon. Gentleman sees in the interstices a point at which this Bill might be taken. I confess I do not.

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

Is it intended to take it at an early date?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I cannot hold out any expectation of that. I will take it as soon as I can, but how soon I cannot say.