§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONasked the Prime Minister, If he could state what position the Vote of Thanks to the troops who were engaged in the recent operations in Egypt would take, in view of the fact that the Rules of Procedure were to take precedence of other Business?
MR. GLADSTONESir, I have asked the authorities of the House whether it will be necessary to introduce the Vote of Thanks as an exception to the Motion made last night. I am informed that there will be no such necessity, as by the usage of Parliament it is distinctly understood that Votes of Thanks on occasions of this kind are special matters which are taken in the same manner, although they are not of the same character, as questions of Privilege. No exception, therefore, need be made in order to insure our being able to take the Vote of Thanks to-morrow.
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSWill the right hon. Gentleman state now, or later, 74 whether there are any other matters which in the same way may be exempted from the operation of the Resolution passed yesterday giving precedence to the Rules of Procedure?
MR. GLADSTONEThe noble Lord, as I understand him, does not ask me to lay down an exhaustive law of Parliamentary Procedure upon this subject. His desire is to know whether the Government have any Motion in contemplation which would escape from the effect of the Resolution of yesterday. The Government have nothing of the kind in contemplation.