§ Mr. BONAR LAWOn Monday and Tuesday, the Education Bill.
On Wednesday, Supply—Post Office Vote.
On Thursday, Finance Bill (Report).]
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Home Rule Bill will be introduced, and whether the Proclamation issued by Lord French indicates that the Government have permanently abandoned the idea of Conscription for Ireland?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo; I cannot say when the Home Rule Bill will be introduced, and the inference in the last part of my hon. Friend's question is not correct.
§ Sir EDWARD CARSONMay I ask my right hon. Friend when legislation to authorise grants of land to soldiers who enlist in Ireland will be introduced?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWSome questions were put on the Paper to me and the Chief Secretary on this subject, and it was asked that they might be postponed until Tuesday, in order that they might be, dealt with in a carefully considered reply. I believe that there is a good deal of misunderstanding on this matter. What is aimed at in Ireland is also contemplated as regards soldiers in England.
Mr. RUNCIMANIf the discussion on the Trade Boards Bill to-morrow (Friday) finishes before five o'clock, it is proposed to take any other business?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo.
§ Mr. STEWARTWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the position of Members who live at a distance from London, in view of the great difficulties they experience in having to attend Friday sittings—unless the business is really 1760 urgent—owing to their being engaged on useful work in their constituencies connected with War Savings and food questions, the week-end being their only opportunity to devote their attention to those local matters, and the train service being very much depleted?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI realise as fully as any Member of the House the strain of constant sitting at a time like this, and I should gladly, if we had the time, not have Friday sittings if they can be avoided. As a matter of fact, ray Noble Friend (Lord Edmund Talbot) arranged to-morrow's sitting without consulting me, but if I find that it is the serious and general desire of the House not to sit to-morrow, I will not move the Motion for a Friday sitting.
§ Mr. KINGIn view of the first Division that was taken early yesterday afternoon, will the Government lighten their own burdens by dropping the Emigration Bill?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Member makes a suggestion to lighten our burdens. There are Bills more important which, if we dropped them, would lighten our burdens still more than dropping the Emigration Bill; but we are not proposing to drop any. As it apparently will carry out the general desire of the House not to sit to-morrow, I hope hon. Members, as far as they can, will do the business which is on the Paper.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt will have to be the week after next. I cannot give the exact date.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEWill the right hon. Gentleman suspend the Eleven o'Clock Rule on Monday and Tuesday for a short time?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo; we naturally do not wish to do that unless it be necessary, and I do not propose to do it.
§ Mr. P. A. HARRISCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Trade Boards Bill will be taken?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo; I am sorry I cannot do that.