SIR STAFFORD NORTFICOTEI wish to put a Question to the Prime Minister with regard to the Instructions to be given to the Commissioners in South Africa. The right hon. Gentleman told us that he would consult with the Colonial Secretary as to laying these Instructions on the Table. Is the Prime Minister able to toll us now, Whether we 773 are likely to have these Instructions before us previous to the Recess?
MR. GLADSTONEI mentioned the other day that the Instructions could not yet be laid before the House, and the Question was asked whether it would not be practicable to lay a portion of them upon the Table. I have considered the matter with my noble Friend, and we find that the Instructions so completely form a whole, and being now only on the way to the Commissioners, we could not make any separation between them. To produce them at the present time would be disadvantageous to the Public Service.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHasked, Whether the Government would produce before Easter any despatches which might have been received from Sir Evelyn Wood?
MR. GLADSTONEhoped before then that the Government might be in possession of despatches which could be laid before the House; but they could not now speak positively on the subject.