It is proposed to take Item 4 on the Order Paper first and then Item 5 (Supplementary and Additional Estimates). As the President of the Executive Council and the Minister for Agriculture will be occupied in the other House, I suggest that the Estimates be taken in the following order—Vote 52, Agriculture; Vote 56, Industry and Commerce; Vote 41, Local Government and Public Health; Vote 76, Repayments to the Contingency Fund; Vote 67, League of Nations; Vote 66, External Affairs. It is then proposed to take Items 1, 2 and 3 and, if there is still time, Items 6 and 7.
Order of Business.
Are we to take it that the Central Fund Bill will be taken before the Vote on Account?
The First Reading.
The Estimates are to be taken before the Vote on Account?
Yes.
There was an arrangement otherwise.
I was not so informed.
I understand that the Deputy wished that the Estimates should be taken before the Vote on Account. The Vote on Account necessarily comes after the Supplementary Estimates.
Supplementary Estimates?
Yes.
I am not aware that the Vote on Account has anything to do with the Supplementary Estimates.
It is necessary to dispose of the Supplementary Estimates before we can deal with the Central Fund Bill. It has been agreed to take the Central Fund Bill to-morrow and we are anxious to have the Supplementary Estimates disposed of before we commence to discuss the Vote on Account. I am assuming that the debate on the Vote on Account will occupy most of the day.
The understanding was that facilities would be given to take the Supplementary Estimates in time to have all stages of the Central Fund Bill to-morrow.
I understood distinctly that the Deputy agreed to the Supplementary Estimates being taken before the Vote on Account.
No.
The reason we are anxious to have the Supplementary Estimates taken to-day is that the Central Fund Bill is to be circulated to-night. The Supplementary Estimates must be adopted by the House before they can be included in the Bill.
Items 2 and 3 must precede the First Reading of the Central Fund Bill.
I understood that the arrangement was that we would take the Vote on Account first and the Supplementary Estimates in time to allow all stages of the Central Fund Bill to go through to-morrow. If the Minister would leave over the Supplementary Estimates until after the Vote on Account has been moved, we could arrange to stop the discussion on the Vote on Account in time to allow of the passing of the Supplementary Estimates.
That arrangement will suit all right. We will take the Vote on Account first and then the Supplementary Estimates.
I should like to know why the Press have been supplied with copies of the Estimates, since some Deputies have not yet received them. Some Deputies have received copies, but a large number have not received them.
I do not think that any Deputy outside the leaders of Parties have received copies of the Estimates. The only copy I have received is a proof copy. I understand that the Estimates will be ready for distribution to-day.
They are mentioned in the Press this morning.
I should like to make quite clear that the Department of Finance is not responsible for the fact that two newspapers apparently had access to uncorrected copies of the Estimates.
In view of the statement by the Vice-President, that copies of the Estimates have been supplied already to the leaders of the different Parties, are we to take it that copies of the Estimates are in existence?
Proof copies.
Would the Vice-President say when copies will be at the disposal of members?
I have already said that.
I am sorry: I did not hear that statement.
I understand that they will be ready for circulation to-day.
It should be made clear that while this is a rather unusual proceeding it is not unique. In 1931 the same practice was followed. The then Opposition were supplied with a few uncorrected copies of the Estimates for the purpose of enabling the Vote on Account to be taken in time.