MR. GLADSTONEsaid, it was proposed, after the Army Estimates had been completed, to proceed with the Civil Service Estimates in the order of the Votes as they stood, with the exception of the Education Votes, regarding which a special arrangement would be made. It was also intended, if possible, to, in a similar way, make a special arrangement in regard to the Irish Votes. The hon. Member for the City of Cork (Mr. Parnell) had given Notice of an Amendment in connection with those Votes which would raise important Irish questions, and he thought it was the duty of the Government to afford that hon. Gentleman every convenience in their power to bring on the discussion which he desired to raise. No Irish Votes would, therefore, be asked for either to-night or to-morrow (Saturday), but another day would be given to their consideration. No idea of urgency in regard to these Votes had been entertained by the Government. It would be necessary for the Secretary to the Admiralty, who was nearly out at elbows, to ask for a Vote on Account tomorrow; but he would not propose to take any Votes on which discussion was likely to arise, but to deal with the non-effective Votes. The House would meet at 12 o'clock to-morrow. It was intended to propose the Education Estimates on Monday.
§ MR. CALLANasked whether it was intended to postpone the Irish Votes until after the Land Bill had been returned to this House from "another place?"
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, there was no such intention, and added that, in the view of the Government, they would be justified in asking urgency for the consideration of any Amendments that might be proposed.
§ SIR STAFFOED NORTHCOTEasked when the Irish Land Bill was likely to be returned to this House from the House of Lords? With regard to the statement of the Prime Minister as to the Terminable Annuities Bill, he entirely concurred in the course which had been proposed by the right hon. Gentleman.
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, he was inclined, in answer to the good-humoured 999 question of the right hon. Gentleman, to ask the same question of him.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEThe right hon. Gentleman has misinterpreted my meaning. I should be glad to know whether, if the Bill comes back on Monday or Tuesday, the Government propose to consider the Lords' Amendments the same day or on some day or days after?
MR. GLADSTONEIf the Bill comes back on Monday night we shall propose to consider the Lords' Amendments to it on Tuesday; but if it comes back on Tuesday night, we shall take the sense of the House whether they shall be considered on Wednesday or on Thursday. The Amendments will be placed in the hands of Members with all possible dispatch. They will be printed separately. To insert them in the Bill would necessitate the breaking up of type, so that I cannot promise that a copy of the Bill shall be supplied as amended.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked what were the intentions of the Government with reference to dealing with the subject of local self-government in Ireland?
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, the strong desire of the Government, conveyed through the medium of the Speech from the Throne, at the commencement of the present Session, might give the hon. Member every assurance that it was in their power to convey with regard to the very earnest desire of the Government to proceed with that very important matter.
§ In answer to Mr. OTWAY and Mr. MACFARLANE,
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, he could make no further statement on the subject of the day on which the Indian Budget would be taken than that which had been made by his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. He hoped that they might take it next week; but he could not say positively, nor could he even say whether it would be taken the week after. He would take care that the usual Papers incidental to the subject were laid upon the Table of the House before the discussion came on.