HC Deb 06 December 1906 vol 166 cc1202-3
MR. A. J. BALFOUR (City of London)

asked the Prime Minister what would be the course of business next week. He expressed the hope that the debate on the Education (Provision of Meals) Bill would not be continued until a late hour to-morrow. It would be a great inconvenience to many hon. Members who took great interest in the subject if they were obliged to sit much after the ordinary time.

Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

said the Government hoped the Provision of Meals Bill would be passed to-morrow without any great delay. He was afraid if this hope was not realised the probability of the Bill passing at all would be endangered. There was, of course, always the alternative of a Saturday sitting, but he admitted that that was inconvenient. As to next week, on Monday they would begin to consider the Education Bill in its new shape. He was afraid that involved a thick veil which † See (4) Debates, cliii., 408. obscured from his vision, at all events, the progress of business during one or two days after Monday. At that moment they did not know the precise nature of the Bill which was to come to them, and, therefore, they could not form an estimate of the length of time which its discussion would take.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said the principle of the Provision of Meals Bill was a novel and very important one, and he did not think it would be desirable in the interests of general legislation that it should be discussed at an hour which was notoriously inconvenient to hon. Members.

Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

said he was afraid the conditions under which they carried on business at this time of the year were always inconvenient, but he really hoped that the Government's expections would be realised. The right hon. Gentleman said that the Bill raised new principles. Well, that was always the way with a Bill which a good many people did not like and wished to get rid of by elaborate discussions. He hoped it was not so in this case.

MR. HAROLD COX

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long the House is likely to sit to-morrow to discuss the Bill?

Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

That is very much in the hands of my hon. friend.

Sir BRAMPTON GURDON (Norfolk, N.)

asked if the Burials Bill was one of those urgently needed to be passed?

An HON. MEMBER inquired when the National Gallery (Scotland) Bill, the only measure this year applicable to Scotland, was to be taken?

Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

said the latter Bill must pass this session. He would, however, make a further statement as to business to-morrow.