§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE EARL OF GRANARDMy Lords, this is purely a Money Bill to empower the Treasury to issue from the Consolidated Fund the various sums required for the Army, Navy, and Civil Service. It is absolutely normal in form. Of late years it has been usual to take sufficient money in the Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Bill, passed at the end of March, to carry on the Public Service till the Appropriation Bill in July or August. But this used not to be the case before 1905, and there have been exceptions since—namely in 1909. This year, in the circumstances explained by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons in March, it was impossible to include enough money in the Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Bill to last to August, and therefore another Bill is now necessary, to which Royal Assent must be obtained on Friday to carry on the Public Service. There will subsequently next month be the usual Appropriation Bill. The reason why enough money could not be taken in March is this. The amount taken is identical with the amount voted in Committee of Supply, and in order to comply with the law it is necessary for the Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Bill to pass by March 31. This spring, owing to the short ness of the time between the meeting of Parliament and March 31, Navy Votes could not be taken in time for inclusion 765 in the Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Bill, and therefore the sum included in that Bill was proportionately smaller. The Prime Minister stated at the time that a second Consolidated Fund Bill would be required. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 22.—(The Earl of Granard.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a.
§ Committee negatived: Then Standing Order No. XXXIX considered (according to Order) and dispensed with: Bill read 3a, and passed.
§ House adjourned at twenty minutes past Five o'clock, till Tomorrow, half-past Ten o'clock.