§ Mr. WALTER LONGMay I ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can tell us when he proposes to proceed with the Housing and Town Planning Bill? It has been stated unofficially that the Government propose to take it next week. It is a Bill which affects not only the Members who are now in the House, but a great many Scottish Members who are not here. It would be obviously very much to everybody's convenience if we could have a definite statement as to when it is proposed to take the Bill.
§ Mr. HALDANEI cannot commit myself as to the time, in the absence of my right hon. Friend (the Prime Minister). It is probable that it will be taken next week, and I think it is not unlikely that it will be taken on Monday. My right hon. Friend will make a statement on the subject tomorrow, if not on Thursday.
§ Mr. HALDANEI think it is not unlikely it will require two days next week, but, as I say, my right hon. Friend will make a statement.
§ Mr. WALTER LONGMay I ask if the Secretary of State for War would convey to the Prime Minister what is, I know, the feeling of many Members in several quarters of the House, that it would be a great convenience to have the statement made to-morrow, and not on Thursday? The advantage of an extra day would be very great.
§ Mr. HALDANEI will convey that statement to the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. JOHN REDMONDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to convey to the Prime Minister, who is not here to-day, the desire of the Irish Members that the understanding arrived at, informally of course, was that the Report and Third Reading stage of the Irish Land Bill "would be taken next week, and that no arrangement should be come to with regard to the Housing and Town Planning Bill or any other Bill which would prevent that arrangement being carried out?
§ Mr. HALDANEI will communicate those things to the Prime Minister.
§ Sir F. BANBURYI suppose I am correct in assuming there is no intention on the part of the Government to curtail two days to one, which was supposed to be given to the Committee stage of the Housing and Town Planning Bill?
§ Mr. HALDANEOh, no.
§ Mr. LONSDALEWill he be good enough to say when he proposes to take the Report stage of the Irish Land Bill.
§ Mr. HALDANEI do not think I can say that.
§ Mr. LONSDALEIt is not proposed to take it on Monday or Tuesday, I hope?
§ Mr. HALDANEThat is very unlikely, but my right hon. Friend would not be in a position to pronounce until at the earliest to-morrow, and possibly later.