§ Mr. RAMSAY MacDONALDWill the Prime Minister be good enough to tell us the Business he proposes to take next week?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROn Monday, we propose to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on the Army Estimates, and consider Votes A, 1, 10, 13, 14 and 15 in Committee. The Army Estimates, I believe, are already in the Vote Office, and I hope the Supplementary Army Estimate will be in the Vote Office later in the day.
Tuesday: until 8.15, we propose to take the Committee stage of the Army Supplementary Estimate, and, if time permit, other Orders on the Paper.
Wednesday: until 8.15, we propose to take the Second Reading of the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Bill, the Government of India (Indian Navy) Bill, the Royal Naval Reserve Bill, the Sheriff Courts and Legal Officers (Scotland) Bill, and, if time permit, other Orders on the Paper.
Thursday: we propose to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on the Air Estimates, and consider Votes A, 1, 4, 2 and 574 3 in Committee. The Air Estimates, I hope, will be circulated during the present week-end.
§ Mr. MacDONALDMight I put two questions to the Prime Minister which it may be convenient if I put them at the same time. The first is when he proposes to introduce the promised Trade Union Bill; and my second question is when we are going to have the Budget.
§ The PRIME MINISTERWith regard to the first question, I propose circulating the Trade Union Bill before Easter, taking the Second Reading as soon as is convenient on our return after the holidays.
With regard to the Budget, the Government are of opinion that, in the present state of trade and finances, it would be a good thing that the Budget should be introduced as early as possible to allay any doubts there may be, and we propose to take it on the 11th April. I am afraid it would be necessary to ask the House to forego two Private Members' evenings that week, in order that the Committee stage of the Resolutions may be taken before we adjourn for the Easter holidays. I think it will probably be for the convenience, not only of the House but of the community generally, that they should know what are our financial proposals and our financial prospects.
§ Mr. MacDONALDMight I say now that the suggestion that Private Members' time should be given up for this purpose has been made for the first time now, and we receive that with reserve.
§ The PRIME MINISTERObviously that is so, but I am afraid, looking to the time, it would be impossible to get the Resolutions through without that, and I give the house due warning.
§ Mr. THURTLEMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to say whether or not the Supplementary Estimate in respect of the Shanghai Defence Force will be introduced before Easter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think that the figures that the hon. Member desires will be in the Army Supplementary Estimate, which I have announced will be taken on Tuesday. The White Paper concerning it will, I hope, be in the Vote Office this afternoon.