HC Deb 30 January 1913 vol 47 cc1531-2
Lord BALCARRES

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make any statement as to the business to be taken on this day week and on Friday?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I think I had better make a statement for the whole week. We shall, as already announced, take to-morrow the Third Reading of the Trade Unions Bill and the Report of the Committee on Sir Stuart Samuel's case. On Monday and Tuesday we shall take the Report stage of the Welsh Church Bill, and on Wednesday the Third Reading of that Bill. On Thursday we shall take Supplementary Estimates, and on Friday the Lords Amendments to the Temperance (Scotland) Bill will be considered; and, thereafter, if time permits, Supplementary Estimates. On Monday night next, after 10.30, we shall take the Clerks of Sessions (Scotland) Bill and the Sheriffs Courts (Scotland) Bill final stages.

Sir G. YOUNGER

Would it be possible to take the Lords Amendments to the Temperance (Scotland) Bill on Monday rather than on Friday? Friday is an inconvenient day. It would be very convenient for us on this side of the House if it could be so arranged.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

We will consider that.

Sir G. YOUNGER

It would be a great convenience.

Mr. J. WARD

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate what are the Supplementary Estimates?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am afraid I cannot give a list now to my hon. Friend, but they will be put down to-morrow.

Mr. A. LYTTELTON

Would it be possible to give any rough indication as to what the Government designs are with regard to the holidays?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

We hope, with the goodwill of all parties in the House, to conclude on the 15th February.

Lord BALCARRES

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us at least how many Supplementary Estimates there arc, in order that we may know whether that hope is likely to be realized?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

There is no one with wider experience in these matters than the Noble Lord, and he knows it does not depend upon the number, but rather upon the nature of the Supplementary Estimates. There are in number fourteen or fifteen of them, but some of them are very small. There are really only two or three which raise any point of principle, and a good deal will depend whether the Medical Vote is taken or not.

Mr. WALTER LONG

Could the right hon. Gentleman give some indication when the holidays are likely to end? It would be a great convenience to hon. Gentlemen who have to make their arrangements if the right hon. Gentleman could indicate, at all events in some general terms, what he hopes will be the length of the holidays.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I think I had better not say anything without consulting the Prime Minister on that subject. We shall not, at any rate, start the new Session before the first week in March.