§ MR. DISRAELII am desirous, Sir, of making an inquiry from the Government 810 respecting the conduct and arrangement of Business on the Paper, which does not appear to me to be of a satisfactory kind. I refer more particularly to the financial measures. On Friday last the Customs and Income Tax Bill was put down for a second reading. It was my intention to oppose that Motion in order to call the attention of the House to the general conduct of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and more particularly with regard to this Bill, on which there are, I think, several points that require consideration. But the second reading was moved at that helter-skelter moment which occurs at the end of our debates in morning sittings, when it would have been impossible for me to discuss the subject even if I had had the power, and I should be unwilling in any case to do so without informing the Government of my intention. It is possible that the observations which I should feel it my duty to make might lead to a discussion—it is even possible that they might lead to something more important—and that I might find it necessary to ask the opinion of the House on the points raised. It would be certainly inconvenient that the opinion of the House should be asked after midnight with respect to a Bill of great importance, a Bill which may possibly be even more important than the Army Regulation Bill. I would, therefore, ask the right hon. Gentleman, Whether he will make some arrangement which will insure a fair and free discussion of the subject?
MR. GLADSTONEThe Government, Sir, had no intimation of any desire to offer opposition to or discussion of the Government Bill, and it was therefore put down among those measures which were expected to pass as a matter of course. If, however, the right hon. Gentleman desires to prolong discussion on that subject, it is certainly right that he should have the opportunity of doing so. I am therefore quite willing that the Motion for going into Committee shall be placed for the first Order on Thursday evening, or perhaps it will suit the right hon. Gentleman equally well if we go through Committee tonight and take the debate on the third reading on Thursday.
§ MR. DISRAELII will communicate my decision.