§ Mr. BONAR LAWMay I ask the Prime Minister what business is likely to be taken before this House adjourns?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I hope we may be able to get through the Orders on the Paper to-day. There is only one, as far as I can gather, which is likely to excite prolonged discussion—the Trading with the Enemy Bill. There are a very large number of Amendments down in Committee, but I hope some arrangement may be arrived at. We do not want to push this Bill through in a contentious spirit, and I do not believe that the points of difference relate to more than questions of detail; but there are valuable principles embodied in the Bill, and I think it is generally agreed that its passing would have a good effect. Of course, if there is anything like prolonged discussion upon it, we may have to consider whether it is not desirable to postpone further proceedings. We shall proceed with the remaining stages of these Orders to-morrow, and I hope I may be able to move the Adjournment of the House on Friday.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI quite agree with what the right hon. Gentleman has said. I presume he will desire, if time permit, to give full opportunity for discussion on the Consolidated Fund Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI believe that Bill must be passed in the course of the next few days. I do not know whether some parts of the discussion might not equally well take place on the Motion for Adjournment. The Consolidated Fund Bill can, of course, be taken after eleven o'clock, but it is not desirable that important matters should be discussed after that hour. Perhaps I may be able to make it the first Order to-morrow.
Mr. DENNISSWill an opportunity be afforded to this House of discussing the new Order regarding officers' pay?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo Sir, except such opportunity as is afforded by the Consolidated Fund Bill and the Motion for Adjournment.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMWill the Prime Minister, in regard to the Trading with the Enemy Bill, allow the House an oppor- 1152 tunity of deciding important questions which have arisen, without putting on the Government Whips?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope the differences will be accommodated. If they cannot, we may be unable to proceed with the Bill now.
§ Mr. BOOTHWith regard to the first Order of the day—the Government War Obligations Bill—may I ask whether, as it is intended to take the Committee stage to-day, the Prime Minister will take the Third Reading to-morrow, having regard to what was promised when the Second Reading was moved?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, that will be done.