HC Deb 07 November 1918 vol 110 cc2337-8
Mr. ASQUITH

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he will tell us the business for next week?

Mr. BONAR LAW

On Monday we shall take the Vote of Credit (Committee stage).

On Tuesday, the Report stage.

On Wednesday, the Appropriation Bill (Second Reading).

On Thursday, the Committee stage of the Appropriation Bill and further stages of unfinished Bills.

I propose on Friday next week to take the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill. It will, perhaps, be for the convenience of the House if I say that, in view of the changing circumstances each day, after discussing the matter with the Prime Minister, we think it better to defer any general statement till the latest of these stages, and, therefore, on Monday next I propose to deal with the financial situation.

Mr. PRINGLE

Will the discussion be under the Conditions of an ordinary Friday sitting when this general statement is made?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is my proposal. I know the House does not like to sit on Fridays, but my view was that it would be willing to do so on an occasion so important.

Mr. HOGGE

Will a day be given for a Supplementary Estimate for the purpose of the Army and Navy Pensions Bill?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Yes; we hope to be able to do that.

Mr. BRADY

When will the Irish Police Bill be taken?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is included in the unfinished Bills to which I referred.

Mr. BRADY

On what day next week does the right hon. Gentleman hope to take it?

Mr. BONAR LAW

We are taking the stages of each Bill as we can.

Mr. MOONEY

Would it not be more convenient to follow the usual practice and tell us the Bills which it is intended to drop? Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to drop the Irish Land Bill?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I said, in answer to the hon. Member (Mr. Dillon), as I could not name the exact date at which we suggested the House should Prorogue, I am not in a position to say what Bills it will be necessary to drop and what we can carry through.

Mr. HOGGE

When does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take the Report stage of the outstanding Supplementary Estimates?

Mr. BONAR LAW

We are taking the Supplementary Estimates to-day. We will take the Report stage next week.