HC Deb 18 December 1912 vol 45 cc1529-32
Mr. BONAR LAW

May I ask the Prime Minister a question as to the business of the House? Will the right hon. Gentleman say what the business will be when we resume, and, if possible, will he give us a general statement as to the course of business for the rest of the Session?

The PRIME MINISTER

On Friday, I may state—though it does not arise exactly out of the question of the right hon. Gentleman—we propose that the House should meet at Eleven o'clock in order to suit the general convenience of Members. When the House reassembles on Monday, 30th December, we propose to take until half-past Seven the Resolution allocating the time for the Report stage of the Government of Ireland Bill. An extra half-day was promised on the Report stage; it will be given from half-past Seven that day, and will not count as one of the allotted days.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are three of the allotted days for the Report stage of the Government of Ireland Bill.

On Friday in that week we hope to take the Established Church (Wales) Bill; the eighth allotted day.

With reference to the remainder of the Session, it is our intention to pass forthwith through all their outstanding stages the Government of Ireland Bill, the Established Church (Wales) Bill, and the Franchise Bill. We also hope to complete the consideration of other Bills, of which the most important are the Trade Unions Bill, the Railways (No. 2) Bill, and the Lords Amendments to the Scottish Temperance Bill, and any other really necessary business.

Mr. BONAR LAW

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has any idea, and, if so, whether he will communicate it to us, as to when the Session will end?

The PRIME MINISTER

I do not want to be accused of a breach of faith if I make a statement of this kind, but I hope it will end comparatively early in the month of February.

Mr. BONAR LAW

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to complete the Fran- chise Bill by taking one day for it? How otherwise is it possible to get the business finished?

The PRIME MINISTER

The Franchise Bill has been read a second time. We hope to give adequate time to the Committee stage, Report stage, and Third Reading, and I shall submit the proposals of the Government upon that subject when we resume after the Adjournment.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he intends to take the remaining stages of the Trade Unions Bill, so as to bring it under the benefits of the Parliament Act?

The PRIME MINISTER

I cannot give an undertaking at the moment.

Sir F. BANBURY

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what business is to be taken to-night and to-morrow night?

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us any hope that the Inebriates Bill will be taken?

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us any hope of a Dear Food Bill?

Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSON

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has in mind his promise to put on the Paper at an early stage the Allocation of Time Motion for the Report stage of the Home Rule Bill, and whether he could not put it on the Paper to-morrow?

The PRIME MINISTER

We hope to get our Amendments on the Paper for to-morrow and the Allocation of Time Resolution at the end of the week.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he intends to take the Home Rule Bill and Welsh Disestablishment Bill first and the Franchise Bill after their completion? I merely ask with a view to knowing about what date the Franchise Bill is likely to come on?

The PRIME MINISTER

I should not like to commit myself definitely upon that, but I think, as far as I can at present forecast, we shall begin the Committee stage of the Franchise Bill before we complete the Welsh Church Bill. I must be understood to be speaking with very great reserve, but I think we shall take the Committee stage of the Franchise Bill somewhere about the 20th January.

Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

With regard to the Resolution allocating time to the Report stage of the Home Rule Bill, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he could not put it on the Paper to-morrow? If it only appears on the Paper on Friday, and we take the discussion of it on the Monday on which the House resumes, there will be no opportunity for the Opposition to consider it or to put down their Amendment.

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, Sir, I hope to do so.

Mr. ALFRED LYTTELTON

With regard to the Welsh Church Bill, I understand it is to be taken on the Friday after the holidays. That is an isolated Friday, and I understood isolated Fridays were excluded.

The PRIME MINISTER

We have not had one yet.

Mr. LYTTELTON

But this is one.

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can find time for the remaining stages of the Housing of the Working Classes Bill?

The PRIME MINISTER

That was not included in the programme for the Autumn Session.

Mr. CASSEL

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he remembers that the extra half-day promised on the Report stage of the Government of Ireland Bill was promised for Clause 8 of that Bill, and how is it possible in these circumstances to take that half-day immediately after the allocation of time unless you took up Clause 8?

The PRIME MINISTER

It is as broad as it is long. We can give that half-day to something else—new Clauses, or whatever it may be—and Clause 8 will get its extra half-day all the same.

Mr. JOWETT

May I ask the Prime Minister whether, if he is satisfied that there is no considerable opposition to the Provision of Meals Bill, will he allow facilities for that Bill to be carried through?

The PRIME MINISTER

I cannot promise.

The PRIME MINISTER (subsequently)

May I, in order to guard against any possible misapprehension of something I said when I spoke of concluding business at an early date in February say, that I was speaking of the three Bills—the Government of Ireland Bill, the Welsh Bill, and the Franchise Bill.

Mr. BONAR LAW

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication as to when this part of the Session will come to an end?

The PRIME MINISTER

I hope it may be very soon after that date, but it will depend upon the manner in which the time is utilised.