§ Mr. BONAR LAWHas the Prime Minister any statement to make with regard to public business?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe intend to go on with the Committee stage of the Finance Bill to-day.
To-morrow we shall take the Committee stage of the Appropriation Bill, and after that the Finance Bill.
On Monday next the business will be the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill, and a further stage of the Finance Bill.
On Tuesday a further stage of the Finance Bill and the Second Reading of the Trades Union Bill; and, if that be concluded at a reasonable hour, we will begin the consideration of the Marconi Contract.
Our intention had been to ask the House to meet on Wednesday at noon to conclude the consideration of the Marconi Contract, and then to take the Adjournment Motion; but if it be desired to discuss the Sugar Convention, it will be necessary to have a Sitting on Thursday next. Our present intention is to ask the House to meet, after the holidays, on Monday, 7th October.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI wish to ask if there is any necessity for discussing the Marconi Agreement before the close of the present portion of the Session? Would it not be better to postpone it till the autumn?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe advisers of the Government think it very important that this contract should be finally approved or disapproved, as the case may be, before the House rises. My present 2290 impression is that in the public interest, if not absolutely necessary, it is very desirable to have the contract concluded, but I will take the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman into consideration.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINWhenever the Third Reading of the Finance Bill is taken, will it be the first order of the day?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.
Mr. PRICEIn view of the possibility of having a day for the discussion of the Sugar Convention, cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us a further day to debate the Scottish Estimates?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. Member will have his opportunity on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill. Supply, as he is aware, is now closed.
Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the proceedings on the Isle of Man (Customs) Bill, Seal Fisheries (North Pacific) Bill, Public Works Loans [Remission] Report, Public Works Loans Bill, and Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Bill, be not interrupted this evening under the Standing Order (Sittings of the House), and may be entered upon and proceeded with at any hour, though opposed."
§ Mr. LANE-FOXI desire to ask the Prime Minister whether he can promise that in the event of this Motion being carried, the Public Works Loans Bill will not be taken in the small hours of the morning. I do so in consequence of a very important point that arises owing to the action of the Public Works Loans Commissioners in dealing with loans with regard to small holdings. I cannot go into the merits of the question, but the whole of the work of the West Riding County Council in connection with small holdings has been hung up by the action of the Commissioners, because the county council acted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Agriculture and the Local Government Board; but the Public Works Loans Commissioners refused to loan any further money for the acquisition of small holdings in consequence of the county council refusing to put the sinking fund upon the rate for small holdings. This affects a large number of other counties all through the country. I do not know whether there will be any other opportunity upon which we can discuss their action. I ask the 2291 right hon. Gentleman whether, in these circumstances, he will promise that this Bill will be taken at a time when it can be adequately discussed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe point raised by the hon. Member is a very important one. The Government had hoped to introduce a Clause in the Bill dealing with it, but at this stage of the Session, and in view of the difference of opinion which prevailed, they thought it better not to do so. The matter has not been lost sight of. I am not sure that I do not share the views of the hon. Member as expressed by him. The point does not actually arise on the Bill as now framed.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTMay I draw the attention of the Prime Minister to the fact that since last night a crop of Amendments to this Bill has appeared on the Paper, which necessarily will involve its taking much longer time than was originally contemplated?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have not had time to acquaint myself with them. I do not think the Amendments deal with the point raised by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTOne of them does.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will look into that.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXWhat action would the right hon. Gentleman advise the West Riding County Council to take under the circumstances of the conflict between the various authorities and the Commissioners?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is a question which should be put to the President of the Board of Agriculture.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXI did put one down for this afternoon.
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)I will have the answer circulated with the Votes in accordance with the usual practice.
§ Question put, and agreed to.