§ MR. FAWCETTsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he will not facilitate the passing of the University Tests Bill, by allowing its Second Reading to be taken on a Government night?
MR. GLADSTONEI should be sorry Sir, to see the Business of the House in such a state that the University Tests Bill should be in any danger from obstructions connected with time. But having said that, I am sorry to add that, with the present demands of the Public Business, and especially of Supply, and the great measures on the Irish Church which we have in hand, I am not able to displace the Government business in favour of the University Tests Bill.
§ MR. FAWCETTI would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, as the University Tests Bill was introduced by a Member of the Government, that Bill is to be regarded as the measure of a private Member, or as one with which the Government have something to do?
MR. GLADSTONEIt is a Bill which, I believe, is supported by all the Members of the Government, and it was introduced by my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor General in his capacity as a private Member.
§ MR. DISRAELII would appeal to the hon. and learned Solicitor General to re-consider the arrangement he suggested last night in regard to this mea- 1093 sure. I cannot now, consistently with the Rules of the House, state the reasons which induce me to make this appeal, but I may just say that it is very important when Questions of this nature are brought forward that there should be no doubt as to the time at which they will be proceeded with. It is for the interests of both parties that such arrangements should be distinctly known.
MR. WALPOLEsaid, that his hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor General had stated to him privately that the Bill would come on either to-night or on Monday. It would, however, be greatly for the convenience of Members if they were distinctly informed whether it would come on to-night or not.
MR. GLADSTONEI quite agree that it is very desirable that it should be known whether a Bill of this kind is coming on for discussion or not. The arrangement, however, which has been made is the result of a conference between my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor General, and the hon. and learned Member for Richmond (Sir Roundell Palmer), and I believe that arrangement is to the effect that the Bill is to come on to-night, provided the Army Estimates are over by half-past ten o'clock.
MR. GLADSTONEThere will be no disposition to press the question as to whether the time is ten o'clock or half-past.
§ MR. BOUVERIEsaid, he was authorized to say that the Bill would not be proceeded with that night; but that it would stand second on the Orders for Monday, coming after the Endowed Schools Bill.
§ In reply to Mr. E. EGERTON,
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsaid, that he did not propose to proceed that night with the Contagious Diseases (Animals) (No. 2) Bill. Indeed, he should not ask the House to assent to the second reading before Easter.
COLONEL STUART KNOXsaid, he wished to know whether the Returns relating to the College of Maynooth would be distributed to hon. Members before the Irish Church Debate came on?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, he expected they would, but was unable to answer the Question positively.
§ MR. T. CHAMBERSsaid, he wished 1094 to ask whether the Lands Enclosure Bill would be taken to-morrow night?
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENreplied, that it would be postponed to Monday next.
§ In reply to Mr. BERESFORD HOPE,
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsaid, he intended to proceed on Monday with the Endowed Schools Bill.