MR. GORSTasked the Prime Minister, when the Government proposed to resume consideration of the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill?
MR. GLADSTONE, in reply, said, they should put it down for to-morrow night, with the chance of being able to bring it on, though he was afraid it was not very likely it would come on. In any case, they expected to go forward with it on Friday at 2 o'clock. He made no doubt of its being finished on that day; but if, unfortunately, that should not be the case, they would put it down to follow the debate on the Supreme Court of Judicature (New Rules of Procedure) on Saturday, and they would not propose to take any Bill on Saturday except the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill and the Bankruptcy Bill.
§ MR. LEWISasked whether the Government had made up their minds as to what course would be pursued with regard to the clauses extending the Bill to Ireland?
§ MR. HEALYasked when the Parliamentary Registration (Ireland) Bill would be taken?
MR. GLADSTONE, in reply, said, the Government would be glad to take the Bill on Friday, if there were time. In answer to the hon. Member opposite (Mr. Lewis), his right hon. Friend the 2031 President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Chamberlain) did intend to propose the extension of the Bankruptcy Bill to Ireland, both because he believed it to be a politic and desirable thing in itself to do, and because there was a strong feeling among Irish Members, and in that country generally, in favour of its being so extended. He might also say that his right hon. Friend thought that should not be done simply by discussion on Report; and he would, therefore, propose a limited re-committal of the Bill with the view of a discussion on the particular subject of the Irish clauses. The Bill would be taken on Saturday, as lie had before observed.
§ MR. DIXON-HARTLANDasked the Prime Minister, whether, having regard to the importance of the measure, and the fact that it would be preceded on Saturday by two other Orders, lie would not fix an hour after which it would not be taken?
MR. GLADSTONE, in reply, said, he could not fix an hour then. Wednesday was too early a date to express any opinion as to what would take place on such a matter on Saturday. It would not, however, be taken at a late hour.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)said, it might be for the convenience of the House to state that to-morrow he would propose to re-commit the National Debt Bill pro formâ, in order to introduce the Amendment he promised last night.
§ MR. PARNELLasked upon what day the Government proposed to take the Parliamentary-Registration (Ireland) Bill?
§ LORD RICHARD GROSVENOR, in reply, said, he was unable to give a definite answer; but if not on Friday, they were in hopes that they should be able to take it on Saturday. But the first Order was the Supreme Court of Judicature (New Rules of Procedure); the second, the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Bill; and the third, the Bankruptcy Bill.
§ MR. DAWSONsaid, that many private Members from Ireland were merely waiting in London for the Bill to come on.
§ MR. DIXON - HARTLANDgave Notice that, if it was proposed to take up the Bankruptcy Bill as the third Order at a late hour on Saturday, he would oppose the Motion.