HC Deb 28 May 1908 vol 189 cc1291-3
MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)

asked as to the business for next week.

MR. ASQUITH

said that it was proposed on Monday to take the Second Reading of the Finance Bill, and as the Eleven o'clock rule did not apply, he hoped that the Debate might be concluded that night. [OPPOSITION cries of "Oh."] They had already had a discussion on the introduction of the Budget, one on the Income-tax Resolution in Committee, another on the Report stage, and one on the previous day on the Report of other Resolutions. He was most anxious not to curtail the liberty of discussion with regard to this measure, and if the House generally was of opinion that the debate could not be concluded on Monday night, it was proposed to continue it up to the dinner time on Tuesday. On the remainder of Tuesday evening they would take the Second Readings of three non-contentious Bills that it was very necessary to get—the Friendly Societies Bill, the Public Health (Markets in Rural Districts) Bill, and the Contempts of Court Bill. On Wednesday the first order would be the Motion for adjournment over the Whitsuntide holidays; and if, as he hoped, the discussion on that Motion might be concluded before 8.15, then he would respond to the appeal of the noble Lord the Member for Marylebone and put down, in order to test the opinion of the House, the Motion that had stood in his name for so many weeks with regard to blocking Motions. On Thursday they would take Supply, and assuming that the Motion for the adjournment was not taken advantage of for the discussion of Foreign Office Affairs, he would put down the Foreign Office Vote to give an opportunity for the discussion of a matter of interest for the moment. If the Foreign Office Vote was discussed on the Motion for adjournment, he would put down the War Office Votes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. He hoped that the Old-Age Pensions Bill would be circulated in two or three days.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

asked if there was any precedent for allowing less than two days for the Second Reading on the Finance Bill.

MR. ASQUITH

Our position this year is very unusual. We have a Finance Bill and an Old-Age Pensions Bill, the latter of which offers further facilities for discussing the Budget. I hope the time I have allowed will be considered sufficient.

MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)

asked when the Old-Age Pensions Bill would be circulated?

MR. ASQUITH

In two or three days if we get the Report of the Money Resolution which is a necessary precedent.

MR. MACKARNESS

When will the Colonial Office Vote be taken?

MR. ASQUITH

Very soon after Whitsuntide.

MR. COURTHOPE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer told the House that if the Finance Resolution were got through quickly two days would be given for the Second Reading of the Finance Bill.

MR. ASQUITH

My right hon. friend says he did not say that.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

I hope the right hon. Gentleman will keep an open mind on this question. If he will make inquiries I am sure he will find there is sufficient matter for discussion and desire to speak to justify at least two days.

MR. ASQUITH

My mind is always open, but at present I see no reason to alter the arrangement.