§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEasked the First Lord of the Treasury, What day he will fix for the Debate on the conduct of Her Majesty's Government in accepting the London Conference?
MR. GLADSTONESir, the Question of my hon. Friend leaves me in some uncertainty, which I cannot easily clear up. He asks what day I shall "fix for the Debate on the conduct of Her Majesty's Government in accepting the London Conference?" It is not the duty of the Government to fix a day for a debate on the Motion of private Members, unless in those cases where private Members propose a Vote of Censure on the conduct of the Government. Does my hon. Friend propose to do that? [Sir CHARLES W. DILKE: I propose to bring forward the Motion of which I have given Notice.] Well, that is a Vote of Censure, the carrying of which, of course, involves the retirement of the Government. I will find a day as soon as I possibly can; but that is not as soon as I could wish. We entertain an ardent desire to have the matter brought 54 to issue, but our condition at present is that in consequence of the prolongation of the debate, which is, I hope, to terminate to-night—["No, no!" "Hear, hoar!"]—well, then, if it is not to terminate to-night, I think we must ask the House to continue the debate from day to day until it does terminate. We have arrived at a period of the Session when we must endeavour to conclude the debate now in progress, which I still hope may end to-night. We must, then, consider—first, when certain Supplementary Votes for the service of the present year may be taken; and, secondly, certain Votes connected with the Army and Navy Estimates, without which the Mutiny Act cannot be passed. The moment these necessary Votes are taken, we will give the first day at our disposal to my hon. Friend, and the Bill for Secret Voting, the Licensing Bill, and the Local Rates Bill must stand over until my hon. Friend has worked his will upon the Government.