HC Deb 02 April 1883 vol 277 cc1170-1
MR. RYLANDS

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in view of the fact that a Resolution upon the National Expenditure occupied two full nights of debate in the Session of 1879, he will alter the arrangement for a Morning Sitting on Friday April 6, when a similar Resolution is to be brought forward, and which could only be discussed in an incomplete manner within the time afforded by an Evening Sitting?

MR. GLADSTONE

Finding that there is great interest taken in, and that hon. Gentlemen are desirous of having a full evening on, the Motion of my hon. Friend, we have made inquiries in order to see what will be most convenient to the House; and we have arrived at the conclusion that it will be most for the convenience of the House if, instead of proposing to take the adjourned debate on the Transvaal next Friday at 2 o'clock, we propose to take it on the Friday after, at 2 o'clock. We therefore propose to go on with the Motion of my hon. Friend in the ordinary way.

SIRSTAFFORD NORTHCOTE

With reference to the announcement just made by the right hon. Gentleman, I cannot help thinking that, having regard to the changed position of the Motion on the Transvaal, especially since the Amendment was put down by the right hon. Gentleman himself, which is virtually a Vote of Confidence in the Government, there ought to be some better opportunity than a Morning Sitting for the discussion of that Motion.

MR. ONSLOW

said, he hoped that, before the resumption of the adjourned debate on the Transvaal, the Prime Minister would state the nature of the remonstrance sent by Her Majesty's Government to the Transvaal Government. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would also state what would be the policy of Her Majesty's Government in case that remonstrance was disregarded.