HC Deb 04 May 1911 vol 25 cc607-8
Mr. BALFOUR

Perhaps the Prime Minister will now tell us what the business will be for next week?

The PRIME MINISTER

On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we shall proceed with and, I hope, complete, the remaining stages of the Parliament Bill.

On Monday next I propose to submit, at the commencement of business, a Motion 'for the allocation of time on the Parliament Bill. As I stated yesterday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will introduce the Budget on Monday, the 15th inst.

Mr. BALFOUR

It would be out of order to argue this matter at question time, because we shall have an opportunity of discussing it on Monday, but I wish to point out the extreme inconvenience of taking the different stages of the Parliament Bill so close together, quite apart from the amount of time given to them. I will not argue now the amount of time given, but I do say that it is extremely inconvenient that we should end the Committee Stage upon the Wednesday in one week and do all the remaining stages on the first four days of the next week.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the event of the Motion allocating the time on the Parliament Bill being passed on Monday, he proposes to proceed with the Report stage the same night?

The PRIME MINISTER

Certainly.

Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALD

When does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take the Trade Union Law Amendment Bill?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am afraid I cannot name a date now.

Ordered, "That the Proceedings on the Motion for leave to bring in the National Insurance Bill have precedence this day of the Business of Supply."—[The Prime Minister.]