§ SIR COLMAN O'LOGHLENasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether in the event of the debate which was about to commence on the Motion of the hon. and learned Member for Limerick (Mr. Butt) becoming an adjourned debate—as he had no doubt it would, from the number of Gentlemen who were about to speak—he would have any objection to name a day for the resumption of the debate? It was necessary to ask this Question, for all the days at present were in the possession of Her Majesty's Government.
MR. GLADSTONEI think the question of my right hon. and learned Friend invites me to deviate from Parliamentary usage in a manner that would not be convenient. It is not, I think, the usage of this House that the question to what day a particular debate should be adjourned shall be decided before the debate has begun, or the House has shown any inclination that the debate should be adjourned at all. My right hon. and learned Friend has given an opinion that the debate will require to be adjourned. He may have reasons, no doubt, for that opinion; but I confess I think, from the nature of the Question, that it will be obviously desirable that the debate, if possible, should be brought to a close to-night. Most certainly it is not for us to presume to exercise pressure against the general feeling of the House. But if the general feeling of the House should require the adjourn- 1762 ment of the debate, I should still feel it my duty to urge that the debate should not be resumed until we have disposed of the measures which it is urgently necessary for us to settle, before arrangements can be made with a view to the Prorogation of Parliament.