HC Deb 26 April 1910 vol 17 cc260-5
Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what time it is proposed the House should meet on Thursday next; whether it is the intention that the Development Bill should be taken to-night, and, lastly, what business will be taken on Friday after the Spring Recess?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

As to the business after the Recess, we propose first to get the Speaker out of the Chair on Civil Service Estimates, and then to take the Local Government Board Vote.

Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

To get the Speaker out of the Chair on Thursday after the Recess and to take the Local Government Board Vote on Friday?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

Yes. The House will meet at twelve o'clock on Thursday next, and there will be questions. It is thought that will be for the general convenience of the House. It was arranged last night that the Committee stage of the Development Bill should be taken tonight.

Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

I do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman has in mind that there is a very big private Bill which is to be taken to-night after the Budget. I presume at eleven o'clock. It will make a very big inroad into the time for the Committee stage of the Development Bill if it is taken tonight.

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

We had a couple of hours' discussion last night, and we arrived at something like an amicable understanding. I take a rather hopeful view. I do not say there was anything in the nature of a compact. I do not put it any higher than that we arrived at a more amicable frame of mind on both sides, including the hon. Baronet the Member for the City of London (Sir F. Banbury). It was arranged that the Bill should be put down for to-night. If it was thought desirable to make Amendments, and the Bill was put down for to-morrow night, we could not get it through Committee stage, Report stage, and Third Reading, and therefore we were bound to put it down for to-night. do not despair of being able to persuade the hon. Baronet that it may not be necessary to occupy much of the time of the House to-night, or to sit to a late hour.

Sir F. BANBURY

That depends entirely upon the attitude of the right hon. Gentleman. I do not desire to occupy the time of the House if the right hon. Gentleman is reasonable; but if he is not reasonable, am afraid we shall be late.

Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Can the Prime Minister give us some indica-

tion what the business will be on the Monday after our meeting We know the business for the Thursday and Friday, but wish to ask what business will be taken in the following week? If the right hon. Gentleman cannot say that to-day, will he take an opportunity to make an announcement on the subject before the House adjourns?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

will make a statement to-morrow.

    cc262-5
  1. Suspension of Eleven o'clock Rule. 1,934 words, 1 division