§ Mr. WALTER LONGI desire to ask the Prime Minister three questions. The first is: Will he be good enough to tell us what the business for next week is? The second is: What opportunity does he propose to give to the House to discuss the question of the payment of Members? The right hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware that objection was raised to any discussion on the subject on the Budget, and therefore I presume he will afford the House the opportunity asked for. The third question is: Whether he is prepared to tell us anything further about the holidays?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROn Monday, the business will be the Report stage of the Budget Resolutions; and, if time permits, we hope to take some of the small Bills on the Notice Paper.
On Tuesday, Supply (Irish Votes) will be taken.
On Wednesday, we shall take the Second Reading of the National Insurance Bill: the discussion on that will be continued on Thursday.
2152 In reply to the further question of the right hon. Gentleman it may be for the convenience of the Members if I say that the Government propose that the House should meet after the Whitsuntide Recess on Tuesday, June 13th. With regard to the other question put by the right hon. Gentleman, I think, and the Government think, that it is quite reasonable and proper that the House should have a full opportunity of discussing t lie principles involved in the proposal for the payment of Members. An adequate opportunity for that purpose would not be afforded for that purpose by the mere production of Supplementary Estimates, though, of course, that will be necessary. In order to meet the case, we shall put down a Government Resolution on the Paper. Of course it will be open to Amendment. But I think this will afford opportunity for adequate discussion.
§ Mr. LONSDALEWhen?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNot till after Whitsuntide.
§ Mr. LONSDALEWhat Irish Supply will be taken on Tuesday?
§ The PRIME MINISTEREducation comes first.
§ Mr. JOHN REDMONDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he wilt take measures to enable us to make certain of taking the Second Reading of the Labourers' (Ireland) Bill before we adjourn for Whitsuntide? It is a purely non-contentious Bill, but the Second Reading of it has been blocked night after night by one or two Members. It it was put first on the Notice Paper, it probably would not take an hour?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope and expect we shall be able to do so.
§ Mr. BOOTHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated yesterday that the actuarial data upon which the National Insurance Bill is founded would be in our possession only on Tuesday, and does he consider that twenty-four hours is sufficient for the great interests to examine these data, which have taken years to prepare?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am told that they will be in possession of the House on Monday.