BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 19 October 1916)

§ Mr. STUART-WORTLEY
Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly say what is the business for next week?

§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)
On Tuesday, we shall give an opportunity for discussing the Report of the Public Accounts Committee, and we also propose to take the Committee stage of the Larceny Bill and the Charity Bills.
On Wednesday, we shall take the Report stage of the Acquisition of Land Bill.
On Thursday, we shall give an opportunity for discussing the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic).

§ Sir EDWARD CARSON
When does the Government propose to proceed with the Registration Bill?

§ Mr. BONAR LAW
That is under consideration. It will not be next week. Perhaps my right hon. Friend would put down a question for Tuesday.

§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE
In view of the fact that the Prime Minister has promised a judicial inquiry into the transactions which have passed between the War Office and Sir John Jackson in regard to the Report of the Public Accounts Committee, will he make it clear that that part of the hutting arrangements made by the War Office will be excluded from the discussion?

§ Mr. BONAR LAW
As the House knows, the Public Accounts Committee is one of the most important Committees in the House. The Chairman of that Committee has represented to the Prime Minister that there has been a great deal of misunderstanding as to its functions, and there are many other subjects besides that to which the hon. Member refers which ought to be raised. It is for that reason that a day has been given next week. As the subject to which my hon. Friend refers is sub judice, I should myself think that it should not be discussed until the Committee has reported.

§ Colonel GRETTON
Will the opportunity which is to be given on Thursday for a discussion on the Central Contral Board take the form of a Debate on the 768 Notice of Motion which stands in my name or on one of the other Notices of Motion?

§ Mr. BONAR LAW
There are several Motions. We will consider that, and let my hon. Friend know.

§ Mr. DILLON
On what ground does the right hon. Gentleman say that these hutting arrangements are sub judice? They are not.

§ Mr. BONAR LAW
I am only expressing my own view. As the Prime Minister has promised to give a Committee of Inquiry into that subject, I think that it is a subject which should not be discussed in advance before the Committee has reported.

§ Mr. R. MCNEILL
In view of the fact that it cannot necessarily be treated as sub judice and that there is nothing out of order in discussing it. as pointed out by the hon. Member below the Gangway, would it not be better to defer the opportunity for discussing the matter until after the Committee has reported?

§ Mr. BONAR LAW
I have considered that, at the request of the Prime Minister. It is obvious that some time must elapse before the Committee can report, and probably after that happens there maybe no opportunity of discussing the Report of the Public Accounts Committee at all. That is the reason why we have fixed a day next week.

§ Sir E. CARSON
Will it be open to us, on a discussion of the Public Accounts Report, to raise the question of the unfairness of making charges against a man who has never been heard?

§ Mr. BONAR LAW
Obviously the questions which may be raised are a subject for the decision of the Speaker, and I can say nothing upon it.