§ MR. W. E. FORSTERasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, After what hour that night he will not take the Friendly Societies Bill, which was the second Order? He likewise desired to know, "Whether it is still the intention of the Government to proceed with the consideration of that measure on the Thursday before Good Friday? That would be an unusual course to take, as the House had certainly not met on the day preceding Good Friday for more than twenty years.
§ MR. DISRAELISir, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will not take the Friendly Societies Bill after 11 o'clock this evening. With regard to the other inquiry of the right hon. Gentleman, I believe that until comparatively modern times the House always sat, for some generations, in Passion Week, and that it always met on the Thursday before Good Friday. I do not know of any exception to that rule. At the same time, it is my wish and my duty to consider the convenience of the House as much as I can consistently with the due progress of Public Business; and if it is more convenient to the House that on Thursday, in case the discussion on the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Bill is concluded, we should not take the Friendly Societies Bill, I would propose that we should take the Army Estimates on that day.