HC Deb 27 March 1930 vol 237 cc610-2
Mr. STANLEY BALDWIN

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the business for next week?

Mr. P. SNOWDEN

On Monday, we propose to move Mr. Speaker out of the Chair on going into Committee of Supply on the Civil Estimates and Estimates for the Revenue Departments, 1930, and to take the following Votes in Committee: Art and Science Buildings; Labour and Health Buildings; Public Buildings, Great Britain; Public Buildings, Overseas. The Second Reading of the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill, and the Report stage of the Money Resolution on Unemployment Insurance will also be taken.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: Further stages of the Coal Mines Bill. In accordance with the agreement reached, the Third Reading will be concluded not later than 7.30 p.m. on Thursday. On Thursday, after completion of the Coal Mines Bill, the further stages of the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill. Friday: Unemployment Insurance Bill, Second Reading.

On any day, should time permit, other Orders may be taken.

Mr. BALDWIN

Can we suppose that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is aware that two classes of the Votes, 5 and 10, are not yet available in the Vote Office? Perhaps he will be good enough to make inquiries if he has no information.

Mr. SNOWDEN

I think that I can give the right hon. Gentleman a little information on that point. The remaining classes of the Civil Estimates, Classes 5 and 10, to which he refers, will certainly be available on Saturday morning.

Mr. BALDWIN

I am encouraged by the prompt reply of the right hon. Gentleman, and dare I ask anything about the Easter Holidays yet?

Mr. SNOWDEN

That is a matter in which every Member of the House is deeply interested, but I regret that I am not in a position to satisfy the natural anxiety of the right hon. Gentleman. I do not think that an announcement will be delayed much longer.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

rose—

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

On a point of Order. Could not the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) have raised whatever he is going to raise on the Consolidated Fund Bill yesterday?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I did not rise to ask whether an opportunity will be taken to discuss agriculture. That was not the object of my rising, and the hon. and gallant Gentleman is there mistaken. I rose to ask my right hon. Friend whether I understood him to say, with regard to the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill, that it will be taken at a reasonable hour, as in the last Parliament?

Mr. SNOWDEN

The Committee stage will be taken on Thursday. The Second Reading is on Monday, and on Thursday, after we have completed the Coal Mines Bill, the further stages of the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill will be taken.

Commander BELLAIRS

With reference to the business of the House, may we ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to convey to the Prime Minister the desire of many Members that, when important business is under discussion, the responsible Minister shall be here? For three and a half hours yesterday we were discussing Russia without the chief representatives of the Foreign Office. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs may have had to meet an Egyptian Delegation, but perhaps the business of the House is even more important.

Mr. SNOWDEN

indicated assent.

Ordered, That the Proceedings on the Consolidated Fund (No. 3) Bill have precedence this day of the Business of Supply."—[Mr. Snowden.]