HC Deb 26 May 1882 vol 269 cc1754-5
MR. PARNELL

said, a great number of the Irish Members, who had not felt themselves at liberty to go home since the beginning of the Session, were desirous of returning to Ireland during the Holidays, and he hoped that the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister would consider whether it was possible to postpone the consideration of the Bill till Monday, as it would be a matter of the greatest possible convenience to Irish Members who desired to spend a few days longer in Ireland. The Government would be able to utilize those two days for Supply, and would succeed in obtaining a large amount of money.

MR. GLADSTONE

, in reply, said, he could assure the hon. Member for the City of Cork (Mr. Parnell) that he felt that the wish he had expressed on the part of hon. Gentlemen from Ireland was a most natural one, and he (Mr. Gladstone) had every desire to consult the convenience of hon. Members so far as lay in his power, consistent with the proper conduct of Public Business. Her Majesty's Government had asked the House to put forward certain measures with all possible expedition, and they were bound not to permit other Business to interfere with their progress. The hon. Gentleman had suggested that Supply could be put down for Thursday and Friday next. No doubt the convenience of getting through Supply on Thursday and Friday would be very great; but the Government might find these two nights occupied by the mass of preliminary Motions standing on the Paper, and for which hon. Members had been unable to keep a House. They would, therefore, probably get no Supply, and the two days would be wasted. If, however, he could have some assurance that Supply would be taken on those two days, he would accede to the hon. Member's suggestion, as, if Votes were taken then, it would prevent a postponement of the Irish measures at a later stage for the purpose of taking Supply. He was not aware, however, that any pledge could be asked for or given that the Motion to go into Committee of Supply would not be so met. He feared, therefore, the Government had no choice but to adhere to the present arrangement.

MR. GRAY

said, that he would be perfectly willing to postpone a Motion standing in his name, if other hon. Members would do the same.