§ Lord BALCARRESMay I ask the Prime Minister a question as to the arrangements for business to-morrow? The matter was overlooked yesterday.
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, I was rather surprised at the absence of the usual week-end question. Today we propose to take the Committee stage of the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Bill. Tomorrow we propose to take Report stage and Third Reading at a sitting commencing at twelve o'clock—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—or any hour more generally convenient—half-past ten if necessary. I am in the hands of the House; I have got to move a Motion later on, and perhaps the Noble Lord will let me have his views before then. We propose, at the end of the Committee stage, to move that the House shall meet tomorrow for the purpose, as I said, of the Report stage and Third Reading.
On Monday we propose to take the Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund 2227 Bill; on Tuesday, the Committee stage; and Second Reading of the Temperance (Scotland) Bill.
On Wednesday, the Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill, followed by other Bills. On Thursday, the Parliamentary Franchise (Women's) Bill. I may mention, among the names of those Bills, the Public Office (Sites) Bill; the Inebriates Bill, and the County Courts Bill. Perhaps it will be for the convenience of the House if I should say now we intend to take the Adjournment Motion on Wednesday, 3rd April, and to reassemble on Tuesday, 9th April.
§ Sir GEORGE YOUNGERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he proposes on Tuesday to take the Division on the Scottish Bill at eight o'clock?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope it will be possible to do so. It has been discussed already.
§ Sir G. YOUNGERWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, though it was discussed already, it was then a Private Bill? Now it is a Government Bill.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know whether the hon. Baronet means that because it has become a Government Bill more time should be given to speeches.
§ Sir G. YOUNGERNo, but because it has become much more important.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEMay I ask the Prime Minister whether the House of Lords will meet tomorrow so that this Bill may be got through this week?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is impossible to get the Bill through this week, when we can only take the Third Reading tomorrow; but I understand arrangements will be made by which they will receive the Bill in another place tomorrow and deal with it on Monday.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILMay we understand that the Welsh Disestablishment Bill will not be taken before Easter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir, I think I may safely say that is so.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEWill the Adjournment Motion on Wednesday, the 3rd, cut out the evening sitting? Will the Motion be operative at the end of the afternoon sitting?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat depends upon whether the Adjournment Motion is continued until 8.15.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHWill the right hon Gentleman give an indication of when he will introduce the Home Rule Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe are anxious to meet the convenience of the House. If, as I understand, it is not convenient for the Leader of the Opposition to be here on Tuesday or Wednesday after Easter, then perhaps Thursday would suit.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDArising out of the answer which the Prime Minister has just given about this Bill, is it not possible to get the Bill through this week, in view of the fact that if another week is taken it will only prolong the strike I do not know if the right hon. Gentleman's decision is quite final, but, if not, I would ask him, and those who cooperate with him, if it is not possible by some means or other to get the Bill through this week?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am just as anxious as the hon. Gentleman that this Bill should become law at the earliest possible moment, but I "would ask the House to remember that we have already lost a day, or allowed a day to lapse, at the request of the Opposition. I am not saying it was an unreasonable request, but I could not ask the House properly to go on with the Report stage of a Bill to which Amendments were made without being able to see these Amendments in print. If the Opposition were willing that we should do so, of course that would be another matter. As I say, I cannot press the House to go on with the Report stage immediately after the Committee stage.
§ Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTSMay I suggest to the right hon. Gentleman that he would adjourn his final decision until we see how we get on with the Committee stage—say at nine or ton o'clock to-night.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think that is very proper and reasonable.
§ Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTSI do not mean that the Committee stage would probably be over by nine or ten o'clock, but I mean that by that time the Prime Minister would be able to see whether there was any probability, by sitting on, of getting the Bill through.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSI desire to ask the right hon. Gentleman a question about the County Courts Bill—whether he will put it down at some time when some of us who have observations to make in regard to it will have an opportunity of doing so?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir.
§ Mr. HOLTCan the right hon. Gentleman, amongst the small measures he is going to deal with before Easter, find time to set up the Estimates Committee which was practically promised to a deputation of Members of this House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope that may be possible.