HC Deb 27 May 1913 vol 53 cc37-9
Lord EDMUND TALBOT

Will the business for next week be, as already announced, the Government of Ireland Bill?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I have to announce a change in the business for next week. In order to comply with the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, we must secure the Second Reading of the Finance Bill before we take the Second Reading of the three Bills recently introduced, and which it is our intention to take consecutively. We, therefore, propose to take the Second Reading of the Finance Bill on Monday next, and to postpone the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill until the following week. I hope to-morrow to indicate the business to be taken on the other days of next week.

Sir GEORGE YOUNGER

Was the consideration to which the right hon. Gentleman refers present to the mind of the Prime Minister at the time he made the announcement the other day?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

It was a purely provisional announcement, and the Prime Minister definitely stated that.

Mr. JOHN WARD

Yes, he did.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

If the Government succeed in getting the Appellate Jurisdiction Bill, will they make any attempt to make progress with further Orders on the Paper to-night?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

We hope to be able to get a little further business.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

What is it proposed to get on with?

Mr. HARRY LAWSON

Will the Mental Deficiency Bill be taken?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I understand it is proposed to proceed with the Mental Deficiency Bill.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Was it not stated that the Mental Deficiency Bill would not be taken to-day?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am informed that that is not the case, but if my hon. Friend can refer me to any statement or promise to that effect, of course that would affect the decision on the matter. However, I am assured that no promise of that kind was made.

Mr. LONG

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the announcement he has made, he means definitely to state that the Government of Ireland Bill will be taken on Monday week?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

In all probability it will be taken on Monday week.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister stated that the Bee Diseases Bill would be proceeded with? [HON. MEMBERS: "No, no."]

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Of course the Government would be very glad to get all the Orders up to and inclusive of Order 7, which is the Bee Diseases Bill, and if the hon. Gentleman can persuade his hon. Friends behind him, we shall be very glad to proceed with the Bee Diseases Bill in the proper course.

Mr. BOOTH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Bee Diseases Bill is a highly controversial Bill, and is opposed on both sides?

Sir F. BANBURY

Would it not be better to wait and see whether you get the. Appellate Jurisdiction Bill before considering whether other Bills are to be taken?

Mr. CASSEL

Why is it necessary, because of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, to postpone the Home Rule Bill, seeing that there is a month available for the Second Reading?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I do not know how long the Second Reading of the three Bills with intermittent dates might take.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very great wish in Scotland that the Mental Deficiency Bill should be delayed, as it is only recently printed and they have not had time to consider it?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

This is the English Bill, and does not apply to Scotland.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

The Prime Minister stated that all the Orders, No. 2 to No. 7 inclusive, would be taken on Wednesday—that is to-morrow?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am assured that what the Prime Minister said was that they would be taken between to-day and Wednesday, and we propose to make progress with those Bills.

Mr. PRINGLE

Are we to understand that the Mental Deficiency and Lunacy (Scotland) Bill will not be taken to-day?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

We do not propose to take the Scottish Bill to-day.

Mr. RONALD M'NEILL

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when something more definite will be stated to the House with regard to the Home Rule Bill than that it will be taken "in all probability" on Monday week next?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I do not know that I could possibly say anything more definite than that. That is the intention of the Government.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE (rising subsequently)

Mr. Speaker, May I be permitted for the convenience of the House to add a word to what I stated as to the business for to-day? I understand that there is some misunderstanding as to what the Prime Minister actually said about the business for to-day and to-morrow. There is an impression that he conveyed the idea that the only Bill to be taken to-day would be the Appellate Jurisdiction Bill, and the Resolution as to the appointment of an additional judge. Under the circumstances we do not propose to go beyond those.