HC Deb 02 July 1883 vol 281 cc58-9
COLONEL ALEXANDER,

as he had obtained the first place on the 24th of July for his Notice of Motion as to the recent changes in the system of recruiting for the Army, asked the Prime Minister, Whether he would afford facilities for the discussion of that subject, or whether he would undertake to submit Vote 8 of the Army Estimates on or before July 24?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, he could not now undertake to fix a day for that purpose; but he hoped about that date to be able to fix a day for the discussion of Vote 8, and also of another of the Army Estimates which was not without importance.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman had not an important statement to make as to Public Business?

MR. GLADSTONE

I have no important statement to make to-day, except to say that to-morrow, at 2 o'clock, I shall move that Government Orders have precedence at 9 o'clock, and likewise on Wednesday. There has not yet been an opportunity for me to have communication with Members on the subject, or for considering fully the position of different Bills; and I do not, therefore, propose anything further than I have stated during the present week. But on Monday next—always remembering what I have previously said as to reserving the Tuesday evening fixed for the Motion of the hon. Member for Mid Lincolnshire (Mr. Chaplin)—I hope to make a proposal with regard to the Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

MR. W. FOWLER

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman proposed to take next Wednesday from private Members?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, his proposal would apply to next Wednesday.

MR. W. FOWLER

expressed his regret at this announcement, as a question of importance to his constituents was fixed for that day.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

asked whether to-morrow the right hon. Gentleman would be able to state what arrangements he would make to give the House an opportunity of discussing the Vote for Major Baring?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, he would endeavour to consult the convenience of the House on that matter.

MR. J. G. HUBBARD

asked if he was to understand that Bills standing in the names of private Members for Wednesday were to be ruthlessly set aside?

MR. GLADSTONE

For a long period, in one shape or another, it has been usual that there should take place about this time of the year what is commonly called a "massacre of the innocents;" and I am afraid the urgency of the case has become much greater for our taking the Wednesdays, even though some of the Bills of private Members are of interest and importance. We are convinced that Bills in a backward state in the hands of private Members, which stand for Wednesday, cannot possibly make any advance.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

I understand the right hon. Gentleman, in making the proposal of which he gave Notice for to-morrow, will make a statement to the House with regard to the Bills which will have to be proceeded with, and generally state the opinion of the Government as to the course of Business. We should hardly be prepared to agree to the concession of the Tuesdays and Wednesdays without some such statement.

MR. GLADSTONE

I find it difficult to promise to make a statement of a comprehensive character so soon as tomorrow; and, consequently, I do not propose then to make any proposal that will bind the House except for to-morrow and the following day.