§ MR. PAUL (Northampton)asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he could not put down the salary of the Secretary of State for War as the first order on Thursday in Whitsun week, or on some not much later date. He asked this because he desired to call attention to a subject of great importance involving the whole administration of military law. Of course he could not expect any consideration, as he did not belong to the Party opposite, and the majority must suffer, but as this question affected the welfare of every soldier in the Army—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order. The hon. Member is only entitled to ask a Question.
§ MR. PAULThen I ask if the opportunity I desire will be given on the first Thursday after Whitsuntide, or soon after.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid he would endeavour to meet the desire of his hon. friend to raise the question of his right hon. friend's salary. There was, however, a little difficulty in meeting the wishes of his hon. friend, which were certainly not extravagant; but he hoped that if his hon. friend would communicate with him a place in the menu of the day which would suit his purpose would be found.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)May I ask if I rightly understand that the Chancellor of 300 the Exchequer does not intend to proceed with the proposed drawback on tobacco?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fifeshire, E.I do intend to proceed with it.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUR (City of London), referring to to-morrow's business, said he understood that the Prime Minister on a previous occasion had indicated that he proposed to take some Bills as well as the Motion for adjournment over the holidays. He hoped that the right hon. Gentleman intended to take the Motion for adjournment first, as it was one of the few occasions on which the House could discuss all subjects with the greatest freedom.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid the Bills he proposed to take were not of a contentious character, and he thought it would be better to take them first. If any of them appeared to give a bona fide opportunity for the expenditure of time it would not be proceeded with. The Bills he proposed to take were:—The Metropolitan Police Commission Bill, the Post Office Sites Bill, the Statute Law Revision (Scotland) Bill, the Fatal Accidents (Scotland) Bill, the Isle of Man Bill, the Dean Forest Bill, and the Indian Railways Acts Amendment Bill.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURmost earnestly protested against the one opportunity on which any question dealing with matters of administration could be raised being interfered with. The House ought not rashly to fritter away any of its privileges. When once they started on the Second Reading of a Bill there was no knowing how long the debate would last.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANreminded the right hon. Gentleman that he had himself on one occasion of the kind introduced the Aliens Bill first.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURUnder the ten minutes rule.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid that meant twenty minutes, and be did not think that these two or three Bills would occupy more than ten minutes; but he did not wish to infringe on the 301 rights of the House, and if any of the Bills he had mentioned appeared likely to lead to substantial discussion they would not be proceeded with.