§ MR. A. J. BALFOUR (City of London)wished to make an appeal to the Prime Minister on his decision in connection with the order of Votes to be taken on Thursday in Irish Supply. Last year there was no opportunity of discussing the Chief Secretary's Vote, except on one evening after eight o'clock, and he understood that the idea of the Government was that this procedure should be repeated. Regarding the Chief Secretary's Vote as a proper occasion for a general survey of Irish administration, and taking into account the condition of Ireland and the desire of the Unionist Party for discussion, he asked whether the right hon. Gentleman did not think it would be in accordance with the spirit of the Supply rule that an adequate opportunity for discussion should be given.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDasked whether it was not a fact that the Leader of the Opposition when in office initiated the practice of acting according to the wishes of the Irish Party in the selection of Irish Supply; whether the practice was not broken for the first time last year; and whether there was not a clear understanding that the Irish Party should name the Supply for the third day this year.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURasked whether the practice to which the hon. and learned Gentleman had referred was not based on the fact that at the time when it was initiated the hon. Gentlemen below the gangway were the only opposition to the Government coming from Ireland. The essence of Supply was that the critics of the Government should have the first turn, and he thought the Opposition above the gangway, including the Ulster Members, ought to be treated as all other critics were treated, and allowed a legitimate opportunity of stating their case.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)Have not the regular Opposition the right to demand a day for a Vote of Censure, which demand would not be acceded to if it came from this quarter of the House?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am willing to accept the alternative and waive the right to discuss the Chief Secretary's Vote next Thursday if the right hon. Gentleman will give us a day for discussing it on a Vote of Censure.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI do not suppose that is a serious suggestion.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURPerfectly serious.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANexpressed the opinion that these were hardly the conditions and circumstances which belonged to an ordinary notice of a vote of censure. At the same time, he appreciated the force of the consideration tantas componere lites. He had heard with astonishment the suggestion that criticisms of the late Government came entirely from the Nationalists. He thought the Member for Dover resigned the Chief Secretaryship mainly in Consequence of criticisms from his own side.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThat is a complete misstatement, and I think the right hon. Gentleman must know it.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI gave the general impression made on the public mind, and remaining on the public mind.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)Also on the mind of the Member for Dover.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid that for many years t he distribution of Irish Votes in Supply had been practically left to the option of Members below the gangway, and the practice was being stretched a little further in the direction of recognising other sections of Irish Members by allowing a partition of the night. It was intended that the Chief Secretary's Vote should, as last year, be taken after eight o'clock. He did not think that, that opportunity being given in addition to all the other opportunities open to Members of bringing forward subjects in which they were interested, any reasonable complaint could be made by hon. Members below the gangway.
§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)said he had heard alarming reports about discharges from the Arsenal, and he pressed for an opportunity to discuss the matter on the Army Estimates.
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)submitted to the Prime Minister that it was not unreasonable that the Unionist Members from Ireland, who represented one-third of the country, should have one of the remaining days allotted to Supply.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid he had recognised the claims of the Ulster Members, and had gone much further towards meeting them than had be on done formerly. In answer to his hon. friend the Member for Woolwich, he was unable to give another day to the War Office Vote. In regard to Friday's business, he should move at the beginning of the proceedings the suspension of the eleven o'clock rule and the five o'clock rule for the rest of the session —the usual Motion suspending the Standing Order relating to the sittings of the House; and make such a statement —which might not be a very serious matter—as business required. After-wards; by way of soothing effect, he proposed to proceed with the Butter and Margarine Bill.
§ MR. SHACKLETON (Lancashire, Clitheroe)asked if they could have time to discuss the War Office Vote and to 1375 criticise the Local Government Board? Under Standing Orders the Government had power to allot three additional days to Supply if it chose.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANreplied that he was afraid he could not give any additional days. He was afraid that when he came to make his statement it would be found that the session would not be a very short one as it was.