The next Vote on the Order Paper is Vote 57—Post Office.
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. - VOTE 57.—POST OFFICE.
Might I suggest that we should take Vote 6—Revenue Department—which is more or less allied to the Vote we have just finished?
I called the Vote in the order in which it appears on the Order Paper, and I took it that that arrangement had been agreed to.
As other Deputies may have been expecting the Post Office Vote to come on, I do not press the suggestion.
Can we take the Post Office Vote in the absence of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs?
Is the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs not available?
I could go on with the Army Vote, if Deputies are agreeable.
We have been following the Order Paper, and when Estimates are arranged in certain sequence it seems to me that unless there is agreement, we ought not to depart from the sequence.
I am perfectly satisfied to follow the sequence.
I would like to take the Revenue Estimate, but I think Deputies ought to be aware of what is coming on according to the Order Paper.
That is precisely why the particular Votes were set out on the Order Paper—so that Deputies could calculate when they would come on.
I have sent for the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
What is the position of the House? What is the next Vote to the Post Office Vote?
Perhaps I would be in order in moving the Vote in connection with the Post Office.
I think it is impossible to take the motion in the absence of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
Can we take the Postal Vote in the absence of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs?
I have just said that I think it is impossible to do so. He is not an Executive Council Minister and no other Minister can therefore answer for him. We shall have to postpone Vote No. 57. Could the President say to what date?
I take it it will be to October.
Can we take the next Vote on the Order Paper?
The Minister in charge of that Vote is not present. He naturally assumed that Vote 57 would take a considerable time.
I have sent the Minister responsible for that Vote to look for the Postmaster General.
We will then take up Vote No. 6.