HC Deb 05 March 1906 vol 153 cc109-10
MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS (Kent, St. Augustine's)

May I ask the Government intentions as to the course of business?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The course of business for the next two or three days has been rather disturbed by information received since I came into the House. We have been looking forward to the fiscal debate taking place on Thursday. Now I am told that neither the Member for the City of London nor the Member for West Birmingham can be in his place on Thursday, and the debate must be put off until Monday, the 12th. In that ease the Government must make the best arrangement they can. I do not know whether the House in these peculiar circumstances will agree to take the Army Estimates on Thursday, the Government undertaking that the Ministerial statement relating to Army Estimates shall be in the hands of Members on Tuesday night, and the Estimates themselves circulated on Wednesday morning. I admit this is short notice, but I think, in the dilemma in which we are placed, the House may possibly agree to that course.

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I fully realise the difficulty. So far as the Opposition are concerned we accept the arrangement.