§ Mr. BONAR LAWMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman what business he proposes to take next week, and also what business he proposes to take when we resume after the Recess.
§ The PRIME MINISTEROn Monday, next week, the Debate on the Third Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill will be continued.
We hope that it may be for the general convenience of the House to take the Division about 7.30 o'clock on Tuesday. In that case we shall take the Adjournment Motion for the rest of the evening, so that the House may rise on Tuesday, at 11 o'clock.
On Tuesday, 9th June, we shall take the Second Reading of the National Insurance Act, 1911 (Part II.), Amendment Bill, and the Milk and Dairies (England and Scotland) Bill, and, if time permits, some of the smaller Orders on the Paper.
On Wednesday and Thursday we shall take Supply.
On Friday we shall take some of the Bills on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. PRINGLEI desire to ask the Prime Minister if he thinks that it is fair that on the first occasion on which we have an Adjournment Motion free from Blocking Motions, the private Member should have his liberty restricted by having this Motion taken on Tuesday evening? I think that my right hon. Friend should reconsider the question.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI thought that the arrangement which I suggested would meet the general convenience of the House.
§ Sir GEORGE YOUNGERWill the right hon. Gentleman take care that on the two days for Supply he will not take the Scottish Estimates, for this reason: that neither the Report of the Board of Agriculture nor the Report of the Land Court has been yet submitted to the House?
§ Mr. JAMES HOGGEWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us how it was ascertained that the course proposed is for the general convenience of the House? There are a great many subjects which are always raised on the Adjournment. It is the only opportunity on which private Members can secure the Minister in charge of a Department to reply to a certain thing which he cannot raise on other occasions, and if the right hon. Gentleman and the other Members of the Cabinet are going to the Derby on Wednesday, will they leave us here?
§ Earl WINTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the occasion of the last Adjournment, a very large number of notices were given of a largo number of questions which were to be raised, and which were unfortunately blocked out by the hon. Gentleman who has just asked a question, and in view of those facts will the right hon Gentleman consider whether he cannot give us a whole day to discuss these matters?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe arrangement which I have indicated was an arrangement entered into in the usual way through the usual channels, and it was understood that it would be for the general convenience of both sides of the House. I shall be very glad to listen to 2167 any representations which reach me from any quarter of the House.
§ Mr. GRETTONWill the Prime Minister reconsider this matter, and in view of the very limited opportunity which private Members now have of raising questions, will he consider the alternative of suspending the Eleven o'clock Rule?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think that it is a very reasonable suggestion to suspend the Eleven o'clock Rule. As I said before, I am quite prepared between now and then to listen to any representations which may reach me from any quarter. My only desire is to promote the general convenience of the House.
§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESMay I ask whether the suggestion of the hon. Member for Ayr Burghs is that Scottish Members are to have a longer holiday than English Members, while English Members are to be brought back to discuss English Supply?
§ The PRIME MINISTERSomebody must suffer. Before the House adjourns I will indicate what the Supply will be. I do not think that it will be Scottish Supply.
§ Ordered, "That the Proceedings on the Government of Ireland [Money] Report and the Government of Ireland Bill have precedence this day of the Business of Supply."—[The Prime Minister.]