§ Mr. ACLAND(by Private Notice) asked the Leader of the House whether he still intends to move the Closure Reso- 1900 lution in regard to the Home Rule Bill which is down on the Paper for to-morrow?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs the House knows, the Government were very anxious to avoid the necessity of moving this Resolution, but felt compelled to do so in view of the fact that the Irish Nationalist Members, for reasons which I quite understand, were not able to associate themselves with a general understanding such as worked so successfully in connection with the financial business before Easter. As, however, these Members have publicly announced that they intend to take no part in the further stages of this Bill, and as I know that there is a strong desire among all Members of the House to avoid a guillotine Resolution if possible, the Government have decided not to move any Resolution meantime and to begin consideration of the Bill in Committee on Thursday in the usual way.
In taking this course I rely with confidence on the support of hon. Members who realise how great the pressure is upon the time of the House of Commons.
I desire also to express the thanks not only of the Government, but, I am sure, of the House of Commons also, to the Committee who undertook to allocate the time for this Bill.
§ Lord R. CECILI am very glad to hear the gratifying announcement which my right hon. Friend has made. I would like to know whether it is quite clearly understood that there is no obligation upon anybody in reference to the Home Rule Bill?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not expect any obligation, but I should have thought that the general opinion of the House, as expressed in the Debates before, justify me in the expectation that there will, at all events, be no unnecessary discussion on the Bill.
The business for to-morrow (Wednesday) will be the House Letting and Rating (Scotland) Bill, Report; the Tramways (Temporary Increase of Charges) Bill, Report; the War Pensions Bill, Second Reading; and other Bills.