BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 19 November 1912)

§ Sir RANDOLF BAKER
I would like to ask the Prime Minister if he can now make any announcement as to the business on Friday? For many years past it has been the practice to announce on Tuesday the business for the succeeding Friday. We should like on this side of the House to know if the Government Whips have gone through the laborious process of ensuring a majority. I hear a rumour that we shall go on with the Closure Resolution of the Welsh Church Disestablishment Bill, and I should like to know whether that is or is not a fact? This is a matter which we consider of very first-class importance indeed. Among the many monstrous things which this Government have done during the last year or two nothing has been so monstrous as this Closure Resolution.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
The hon. Member is not entitled to anticipate the discussion.

§ Sir R. BAKER
I bow to your ruling, Mr. Speaker. All I wish to say is that what we are anxious about is to make it possible for us to attend on Friday next. After all, the Prime Minister must know that there are very many demands on hon. Members' time in connection with their constituencies and elsewhere on Fridays, and it is very desirable that hon. Members should have an opportunity to make arrangements a day or two ahead for important matters of that sort. Therefore I think we are quite justified in asking that we shall receive a statement as to what the business will be on Friday next.

§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)
I would venture to recommend the hon. Gentleman, if he wishes to put an inquiry; of this kind, to do so in rather more courteous terms. It is unusual for a request of this kind to be made on a Motion for the Adjournment unless by a Member of the Front Bench opposite, and when it is made otherwise I think the remarks might be confined to non-controversial points. I have considered the question of what the business on Friday next shall be. I desire to meet the general convenience of both sides of the House. I have come to the conclusion that it would be meeting the general convenience that we should take the Motion for the allocation of time with regard to the Established Church (Wales) Bill not on Friday, but on one day next week. The first Order on Friday will therefore be the Motion for the appointment of a Committee, which stands in the name of my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General, to inquire into the question whether or not a Member of this House should vacate his seat.

§ Sir F. BANBURY
May I ask if any further business will be taken on Friday?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
Oh, yes, whatever further business we can get.

§ Viscount WOLMER
Will the allocation of time Resolution in respect to the Welsh Church Bill be taken on Friday week?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
I said one day next week. I cannot go further than that.

§ Lord ROBERT CECIL
I rise to enter a protest against the Prime Minister's language. I was in the House when my hon. Friend put the question, and it appeared to me he put it with perfect courtesy. He undoubtedly expressed the view which all of us on this side hold, that the present Government is wholly unworthy of the confidence of this House. There was no discourtesy in what he said. If my hon. Friend had desired to be discourteous there were many topics he might have urged with perfect propriety, which would have been more discourteous. The only discourtesy which has been shown on this occasion has been shown by the Prime Minister himself. The right hon. Gentleman would not have ventured to make such a reply as that to a Member of the Front Bench, but I suppose he thought my hon. Friend was a poor man who had no Friends to defend him and who would not be able to speak for himself at the end of the Debate. I must say I think the right hon. Gentleman's observations were extremely uncalled for.

§ Mr. G. TERRELL
What will be taken after the Motion on Friday?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
Some small Bills—probably the Pilotage Bill, but I cannot say for certain.