§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI suppose the Prime Minister will make his usual statement as to next week's business. May I ask him to say at the same time whether it is the intention of the Government to accept the Motion of my right hon. 1794 Friend the Leader of the Opposition asking for additional days in Supply? Perhaps I may be allowed to add I think it would be for the convenience of the House if the Prime Minister can sketch out the course of business up to the adjournment? Under ordinary circumstances this is about the time when a general statement is made as to the intentions of the Government.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid I am not able to do that, but I will on the earliest possible day next week, and I would rather defer till then my answer to the question as to giving additional days in Supply. As regards next week, I have nothing to add to the statement I made to the House last Thursday. I said then we had allotted Monday to the Parliamentary Franchise (Women) Bill, and at the request of the promoters Tuesday will also be given to it. On Wednesday we shall take the Board of Education Vote, and after that Report of the Army Vote that has already been passed in Committee. On Thursday we take the Naval Construction Vote, and on Friday Supplementary Estimates. I may add that tomorrow we hope to conclude the Debate on the Budget, and I am glad the right hon. Gentleman opposite has expressed his intention to help facilitating that. As regards the general conduct of business before the adjournment, I have to say that, in consequence of representations which the Government have received from nearly every quarter of the House, the statement I made last week to the effect that we might possibly defer until the autumn the later stages of the Accession Declaration Bill will be modified, and we hope to get all the stages of that Bill before we adjourn for the Recess.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI am obliged to the Prime Minister for what he has said in answer to my question. I hope the House will allow me to urge upon him to make his statement, if possible, on Monday, so that we may not have to wait until Thursday.
§ The PRIME MINISTERCertainly; it will be made before Thursday.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI will ask the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury to place himself in communication with my right hon. Friend, as to tomorrow's business, and the suspension of the Five o'clock Rule5 to see what can be done.
§ Mr. BARNESCan the Prime Minister say when the Debate will be taken on the Civil List Report?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will answer that next week. Meanwhile I may mention that among the Supplementary Estimates to be taken on Friday in next week will be one for the expenses of the late King's funeral.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEWhen will the Indian Budget be taken?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROur present intention is to take that on the 26th.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI presume there is no intention to enter on Report of the Army Votes at a late hour should the Education Vote occupy the whole evening?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is only one Vote.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINIt involves a very large sum of money.
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo. A sum of £429,000, and the Vote has already been fully discussed in Committee.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI must not be taken as assenting to the suggestion that the Vote should be taken after 11 p.m. I do not think that that will meet the views of my hon. Friends.
§ Mr. EUGENE WASONMay I ask what are those bundles of papers on the floor of the House in front of the Mace?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think the hon. Member has seen petitions before.
§ Mr. EUGENE WASONOught they not to be presented in the ordinary way?
§ One other Member took and subscribed the Oath.