§ MR. SAMUEL EVANS (Glamorganshire, Mid.)asked whether the Prime Minister anticipated a rapid end to the debate on the Address, so that the House could get to work; and what would the course of business be next week.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANLooking at the Order Paper, there seems no doubt that the Address may be voted on Monday night at the latest, and the Government will endeavour to bring the discussion to an end then. On the morning sittings of Tuesday and Wednesday Supplementary Estimates will be taken and some minor Bills will be introduced. Thursday we propose to devote to the Free Trade Resolution, which I think it is desirable that the House should have an opportunity of discussing. On Monday, 5th March, we intend to move the Speaker out of the Chair on Navy Estimates. We shall see how we proceed with regard to the progress of financial business, a great deal of which must be got through before 25th March; but in order, if possible, to avoid encroachment upon the privileges of private Members, we may have once or twice to move the suspension of the 12 o'clock rule. We intend, however, to abstain from such action as much as possible.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI take no exception whatever to the statement of the Prime Minister that he regarded the fiscal question as of so much importance 523 as to justify a special debate, but I think that when the right hon. Gentleman referred to the matter on Monday he spoke of giving two days.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNo; a day.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI understood the right hon. Gentleman to say two days. Having regard, however, to the importance which he himself attaches to the subject. I think that the right hon. Gentleman is rather sanguine if he anticipates that a proper discussion can possibly be concluded in a single day. I merely put in that caveat. As to the duration of the Address debate, in recent years the discussion has usually occupied two weeks or more. I would personally be glad if a precedent could be made for closing such debates within a shorter period in any circumstances, but I should think it rather unfair if a precedent were made harshly and suddenly against the minority whom I represent. I hope therefore that, if matters of importance still remain, the right hon. Gentleman will not hold too strictly to the intention he has now declared.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe House necessarily met later this session than in recent years owing to the General Election. I think, therefore, that when the right hon. Gentleman remembers that the financial business must be closed before a certain day, he will see that it was not unreasonable to quicken, if possible, the progress of the Address debate.
§ MR. PIKE PEASE (Darlington)Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Education Bill will be brought in?
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNo, Sir.