§ Sir ALEXANDER ACLAND-HOODMay I ask the Prime Minister a question or two in regard to the business of the House? In the first place I wish to know what business he proposes to take next week, and, in the second place, suppose the Government get the Indian Councils Bill and the Army (Annual) Resolution, 494 do they propose to take any further Government Bill before 11 o'clock, and, if so, what? And, in the third place, will the right hon. Gentleman, for the convenience of Members, let the House know, as soon as he conveniently can, when he proposes to take the Budget?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIn answer to the first question, we propose to take on Monday the second reading of the Housing Bill. There is an adjourned debate on a private Bill coming on at a quarter past eight; and, in order that we may make sure that the subject will be concluded, we shall ask the House to suspend the 11 o'clock rule. On Tuesday we propose to take the Committee Stage of the Army (Annual) Bill. On Wednesday the First Commissioner of Works will, under the Ten-minute Rule, introduce the London Elections Bill, after which there will be the third reading of the Army (Annual) Bill and the Motion for the adjournment over the Easter Recess. We propose that adjournment should be to Monday, 19th instant. As regards to-night, if we get the Indian Councils Bill and the Army (Annual) Resolution before 11 o'clock, as I hope will be the case, we shall not take anything else, except by arrangement. As regards the date of the Budget, I would rather not make any statement to-day, but I will make one before the Recess. Perhaps it would be convenient to tell the House at the same time something about the business to be taken on the two days after we re-assemble. On Monday, April 19th, we shall take the Committee stage of the Indian Councils Bill, and on Tuesday, April 20th, we hope to take the second readings of some, I trust, more or less non-controversial Bills—the Houses of Parliament Bill, Trawling in Prohibited Areas (Prevention) Bill, the Board of Trade Bill, and the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries Bill.
§ Mr. JOHN REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman let the House know before rising for the Recess what business will be taken on the Wednesday and Thursday after re-assembling?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, before the House rises.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there will be presented to this House a Memorandum on the Housing Bill, which I understand has been ordered in the House of Lords?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, this week.
§ Mr. JOHN REDMONDThe Motion for the Speaker leaving the chair on the Civil Service Estimates has not yet been taken, and I would ask the right hon. Gentleman, if possible, not to take that Motion the week the House re-assembles. My reason for that request is this. The Motion which stands first is an Irish Motion, dealing with a subject which concerns most intimately Members from all parts of Ireland. It is a question of arterial drainage, in which Unionist Members for Ulster are quite as much interested as my hon. Friends and I. It would be convenient to all Irish Members if that Motion be not taken that week.
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe have put this off beyond the date when it is usually taken. I will give respectful attention to what the hon. Member has said, but I cannot give a definite pledge.
§ Mr. JOHN REDMONDAll I ask is that the right hon. Gentleman should consider the convenience of Irish Members in all quarters.
Mr. CATHCART WASONWill the right hon. Gentleman not put down the Trawling Bill, in view of its importance, as first Order?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope we should be allowed to take the Houses of Parliament Bill as first Order. I should think it would not occupy a long time.
§ Mr. J. M. MACDONALDI understand that there was a promise given that the House Letting (Scotland) Bill should be taken by Easter.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think there was any promise. At the outside it was a declaration of hope. I trust there will be no unnecessary delay.
§ Mr. W. R. W. PEELIn regard to the Housing and Town Planning Bill, will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether he will give more than one day to it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis is a Bill which was read a second time, and occupied I do not know how many weeks last Session. I can see no reason for extending the time which I propose to allot to it.
§ Mr. PEELThe right hon. Gentleman is aware that there have been many changes introduced into that Bill in the course of discussion.
§ The PRIME MINISTERAmendments were moved from the Opposition Benches, and concessions were made on the part of the Government.
§ Sir GEORGE DOUGHTYAssuming that the second reading of the Trawling in Prohibited Areas (Prevention) Bill is not obtained by eleven o'clock on the Tuesday, will the right hon. Gentleman move the suspension of the Eleven o'Clock Rule?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is projecting one's imagination to a very distant future—Tuesday, 20th April—but I will consider the suggestion.
§ Resolved:—"Business of the House (Supply)—That the other Government Business have precedence this day of the Business of Supply."—[The Prime Minister.]
§ Resolved:—"Business of the House (Army (Annual) [Compensation] Committee)—That the Proceedings of the Committee on Army (Annual) [Compensation] be not interrupted this evening under the Standing Order (Sittings of the House), and may be entered upon and proceeded with at any hour, though opposed."—[The Prime Minister.]