HC Deb 15 August 1907 vol 180 cc1619-21
MR. A. J. BALFOUR (City of London)

asked as to the business for next week.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

said that to-morrow, after the Third Reading of the English Land Bill, some of the smaller orders on the Paper would be taken. On Monday, the Second Reading of the Transvaal Loan Bill would be taken; on Tuesday, the Report Stage of the Scottish Land Values Bill; and on Wednesday, probably the Second Reading of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill would be taken. The Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill would be put dawn as first order on Monday.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said that it was the ordinary practice for the work of the session to conclude with the Appropriation Bill, which gave opportunity for the discussion of urgent public questions. He suggested that the Third Reading of the Bill should be reserved, as there were several outstanding questions which the hon. Members would like to discuss.

MR PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

asked when the relics of the late Evicted Tenants Bill would be taken.

MR. LYTTELTON

(St. George's, Hanover Square) pointed out that by arrangement with the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury the preliminary stages of the Transvaal Loan Bill had been regarded as purely formal on the distinct understanding that the whole day would be given for the Second Reading. That arrangement would not be fulfilled if the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill as put down as first order on Monday.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (MR. GEORGE WHITELEY,) Yorkshire, W.R., Pudsey

said that he understood that it was necessary that the Appropriation Bill should be in another place on Monday, and that the Third Reading would be a purely formal stage If it were not he agreed that it could not be taken as first order on Monday, but that the Transvaal Loan Bill must have precedence.

LORD R. CECIL (Marylebone, E.)

asked why it was necessary to send the Appropriation Bill to another place on Monday.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. ASQUITH, Fifeshire, E.)

said that the money was wanted for the public services. The Royal Assent ought to be obtained at the latest on Tuesday.

MR. BOTTOMLEY (Hackney, S.)

asked whether any day would be given for the Motion which stood on the Paper for an address to annul the rule relating to the appointment of a Public Trustee. The rule had already lain on the Table for half the required thirty days.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I not only fear, but I am certain that the exigencies of public business will not allow us to give such a day.

MR. BOTTOMLEY

asked whether the Act of Parliament which conferred on the House the right to discuss this most important matter could be defeated by the exigencies of Party interest.

* MR. SPEAKER

said that in ordinary circumstances it would have been possible for the hon. Member to raise a discussion after 11 o'clock at night; but the House had passed a Resolution that on the conclusion of Government business the Speaker should declare the House to stand adjourned. By passing that Resolution, the House had deprived itself of the power of discussing such a Motion as the hon. Member desired to bring forward. It was open to the hon. Member to have voted against the Resolution on that ground.

MR. BOTTOMLEY

No doubt I shall have an opportunity on the Appropriation Bill.

* MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member, in putting down his Motion, has himself pat down a blocking notice.

MR. BOTTOMLEY

asked whether on the Appropriation Bill it was not competent for any Member to discuss any subject.

* MR. SPEAKER

said that the rule against anticipation applied.

MR. BOTTOMLEY

I beg to give notice that I will withdraw my blocking Notice.