§ *EARL, CAWDORMy Lords, I wish to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he proposes before the recess to make any statement in your Lordships' House with reference to the shipbuilding programme for the coming year. The statement which has been made to-day in another place emphasises in no small degree the great importance of your Lordships having an opportunity of discussing the shipbuilding programme of the Government at an early date.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord TWEEDMOUTH)My Lords, I agree that this is a question which is deserving of the closest attention of your Lordships. The only difficulty appears to me to be the way in which the time of your Lordships' House is taken up next week, at the end of which we are going to adjourn for a short recess. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are to be taken up by the Second Reading of the Education Bill. On Tuesday there is an important question to be raised by the Duke of Marlborough in regard to the granting of responsible Government to the Transvaal Colony. On Monday there is a Motion down by Lord Wemyss with regard to our land defences, and Lord Mayo has a Question with regard to Ireland. Lord Brassey has also a notice on the Paper to call attention to the recommendations of the Admiralty Committee on Naval Reserves. Perhaps one or both of the noble Lords who precede Lord Brassey might be willing to postpone their Questions, or, at any rate, make the discussion on them short. In that case I think it would be convenient if the Notice by Lord Brassey were taken as the text for a statement and discussion on the Shipbuilding Vote.
§ EARL CAWDORWill the First Lord make those suggestions to the noble Lords who have the Notices on the Taper?
§ LORD TWEEDMOUTHThey do not belong to my side of the House. Perhaps the noble Lord will give mo his help.
§ EARL CAWDORI am perfectly willing to do that. But I hardly think the question of shipbuilding arises on the Notice by Lord Brassey.
§ LORD TWEEDMOUTHthe ordinary practice of this House does not tie your Lordships very closely to the exact terms of the Notice- on the Paper, and I think it is pretty certain that Lord Brassey in his speech will touch on questions affecting shipbuilding.
THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWNSurely the Naval Reserve is not in any way connected with shipbuilding. The shipbuilding programme is in itself a very important matter, and I should like to ask whether it would not be better if Lord Brassey could be approached and asked to postpone his question. We might consider the Naval Reserve on any future occasion, but the shipbuilding programme of the Government for the coming year is a very important Vote, and your Lordships should have an early opportunity of discussing it.
§ LORD TWEEDMOUTHI will approach Lord Brassey on the question.
§ EARL CAWDORI understand we may take it that in some form or another, either regular or irregular, we shall be able to discuss the Shipbuilding Vote on Monday next.
§ LORD TWEEDMOUTHYes.