HC Deb 03 July 1913 vol 54 cc2209-10
Mr. CLOUGH

asked the Prime Minister upon what date he anticipates that the Finance Bill, the Plural Voting Bill, the Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, and the Revenue Bill will be sent up to the House of Lords; and whether he proposes to follow the precedent of February last and adjourn this House for three weeks after all these Bills have been sent up to the House of Lords?

The PRIME MINISTER

The Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill has already received the Royal Assent. As regards the other Bills, I should not like to commit myself to a date. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. BONAR LAW

May I ask the Prime Minister what the business for next week will be?

The PRIME MINISTER

To-morrow we hope to complete the Committee stage of the Plural Voting Bill, and, if time permits, the Committee stage of the Money Resolution of the Mental Deficiency Bill.

Inasmuch as no notice has hen given of any suggested Amendment, on Monday we shall take the Third Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill; and

On Tuesday, the Third Reading of the Established Church (Wales) Bill.

On Wednesday, the Report stage of the Plural Voting Bill.

On Thursday, the Third Reading of the Plural Voting Bill, and, if time permits, same of the other Orders on the Paper.

On Friday, we shall take any suggestions and the Third Reading of the Temperance (Scotland) Bill, and some of the other Orders on the Paper.

Mr. BONAR LAW

Is there to be no opportunity for suggestions unless notice is given of them a long time before the Third Reading?

The PRIME MINISTER

We have had A week now in which notice could have been given. I understood from the right hon. Gentleman and his Friends that they had expressed publicly their intention of not making any suggestions.

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is quite true so far as we are concerned, but I understood that the House of Commons was to be given this opportunity and not the Opposition, and it was for that reason I expected some opportunity would be given.

The PRIME MINISTER

The Notice Paper has been open for a week, and in the case of one of the Bills, the Temperance (Scotland) Bill, such notice has been given. In regard to the other Bills, I do not see any notice, and therefore I presume no suggestions are going to be made.

Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIEN

When is the Land Purchase Bill going to be introduced? Can the right hon. Gentleman say if we shall have any opportunity of discussing it?

The PRIME MINISTER

There will be no delay about it, and it will be introduced very soon. It is in a very forward state.

Captain CRAIG

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what he was doing last night?