§ Mr. McKENNAI have three questions to put to the Leader of the House: First, can he say if the House will sit tomorrow; secondly, what the business will be for next week; and, thirdly, can he say anything about the Easter holidays?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI will give the business first.
On Monday, the first business will be the adjourned Debate on the Second Reading of the Education Bill, followed by the remaining stages of the Overseas Trade Department (Secretary) Bill, and we hope the Second Reading of the Army (Annual) Bill.
Tuesday: Civil Service Estimates, to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair; and the Committee stage of the Army (Annual) Bill.
Wednesday: Supply—Navy Estimates, Shipbuilding Vote.
Thursday: I hope to make the Motion for the Adjournment, which, if nothing happen to prevent it, will be to the 9th April—that is to say, two weeks and one extra day of Parliamentary time.
It is in the hope of getting the Adjournment at that time that I have put down the Motion to have a Sitting to-morrow, if necessary, in case we do not get the Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Bill to-night. It is necessary, also, to get the Second Reading of the Overseas Trade Department (Secretary) Bill in order to get it before the end of next week. My right hon. Friend asked me about to-morrow. No; we will not sit to-morrow if we get, as I expect, the Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Bill and the Second Reading of the Overseas Trade Department (Secretary) Bill to-night.
§ Mr. R. McNEILLDoes the right hon. Gentleman still hope to have a Recess of three or four weeks, as he suggested some time ago, at Whitsuntide, in addition to the Easter Recess?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is quite impossible to anticipate at this stage, but I do hope so. If I may say so, it would be really to the advantage, not merely 510 of the Government, but of the House, to-have rather more of a Recess at Whitsuntide than was possible last year.
§ Mr. LOUGHCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the Overseas Trade-Department (Secretary) Bill is so urgent?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is simply to regularise the position which, I think, is accepted by the House. Without a Bill, the position of my right hon. Friend would not be properly regularised.
§ Mr. WATTCan the right hon. Gentleman say that the Trustees Savings Banks Bill will not be taken until after the Recess?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is not absolutely necessary that it should be taken before the Recess. It will be put down on Monday, but if there be any objection to-it, we shall postpone it.
§ Ordered, "That the Proceedings on Government Business be not interrupted this night under the Standing Order (Sittings of the House), and may be entered upon at any hour, although, opposed."—[Mr. Bonar Law.]