HC Deb 16 July 1908 vol 192 cc1110-1
MR. WALTER LONG (Dublin, S.)

Is the Prime Minister in a position to state what the business will be for next week?

MR. ASQUITH

said that if the Procedure Resolution with regard to the Licensing Bill were carried the next day, Monday and Tuesday would be given to the first clause of the Licensing Bill in Committee. On Wednesday the Indian Budget would be taken, and on Thursday and Friday the Report stage of the Irish Universities Bill. On Saturday the Third Reading of the Finance Bill and the Irish Universities Bill would be taken.

COLONEL WILLIAMS (Dorset, W.)

Will there be any opportunity of discussing the Report of the Public Accounts Committee?

MR. ASQUITH

I quite recognise the importance of the Report being discussed, but I cannot hold out any hope of time being found for it this year.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)

pointed out that only two days had been occupied in Committee on the Finance Bill. There was no Report stage, and he asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would not give the House a more satisfactory opportunity of discussing the Third Reading. This was one of the most important measures of the session and it was, he thought, the universal practice to put the Bill down as the first order on an ordinary day.

MR. ASQUITH

I do not remember any session in recent years in which the financial arrangements of the Government have been more largely discussed.

SIR F. BANBURY

In the event of the Third Reading of the Finance Bill and the Report stage of the Irish Universities Bill being obtained before Saturday, the House will not sit on that day?

MR. ASQUITH

That is so.

SIR EDWARD SASSOON (Hythe)

was understood to ask when the Board of Education Vote would be taken.

MR. ASQUITH

I cannot make any statement as to that.