HC Deb 16 February 1911 vol 21 cc1246-7
Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS

May I ask the Prime Minister what is to be the course of business for next week?

The PRIME MINISTER

Monday, Resolutions in Committee of Ways and Means.

Tuesday, the Parliament Bill will be introduced, and on that evening we intend to ask the House to suspend the 11 o'clock rule;

Wednesday, Report of Finance Resolutions and Supplementary Estimates;

Thursday, Finance Bill; Second Reading;

Friday, Supplementary Estimates.

On Monday week, we hope to begin the Second Reading of the Parliament Bill.

Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

The question I am about to put is unusual, I am aware, but our position in regard to the Budget for the current year is also an unusual one. Will it be possible for the Government to give us notice of the Resolutions which the Chancellor of the Exchequer will move? That is not usually done, because, under normal circumstances, the Chancellor of the Exchequer makes his Budget statement, which discloses for the first time the financial proposals of the year. But we have dealt with the levying of taxes for the current financial year; therefore, there can be no injury to the public interest by the disclosure of these Resolutions. We are really in great difficulty, because we do not know what Resolutions the Government are holding over on their own account. I am aware that my request is an unusual one.

The PRIME MINISTER

I think it is a reasonable one, and I will do my best to comply with it.

Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Will you put the Resolutions on the Paper?

The PRIME MINISTER

Or circulate them.

Lord HUGH CECIL

Does the right hon. Gentleman hope to get the first reading of the Parliament Bill in one day?

The PRIME MINISTER

Certainly.

Lord HUGH CECIL

Is he aware that the Home Rule Bill, which was certainly not more important than the Parliament Bill, was discussed for four days in 1903 on first reading?

The PRIME MINISTER

It had not been before the country at a General Election.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the Home Rule Bill was not before the country in 1890 at all?