HC Deb 22 June 1871 vol 207 c398
SIR CHARLES ADDERLEY

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he will give an early day for his Motion relating to the Washington Treaty?

MR. GLADSTONE

, in reply, said, he subscribed to the general principle that it was particularly fit and becoming for that House to take an opportunity of obtaining any explanation, which might be thought desirable, and of passing a judgment which might be thought fit, on the conduct of the Government, or of those who acted on the part of the Government, in respect to the Treaty of Washington. When the right hon. Baronet asked that an early day might be fixed for the discussion of his Motion on the subject, he hoped that what was meant by "an early day" would be construed with some latitude, because the present state of Public Business, and the inconvenience of postponing Bills beyond a certain date of time, when measures of importance should be sent to the House of Lords, constituted a very serious difficulty in the case. However, he suggested that the right hon. Gentleman should communicate with him on the subject, for he was desirous that the right hon. Gentleman should have the opportunity of bringing forward his Motion before a period of the Session when it might be inconvenient for Members to attend to take part in the debate.