HC Deb 18 February 1884 vol 284 cc1205-6
SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

I wish to put a Question to the Prime Minister with reference to the proceedings of the House. There are so many hon. Gentlemen who wish to take part in the debate on the Motion which I brought forward that it is not probable, and, in fact, it is generally understood, that the debate cannot close to-night. To-morrow is a private Members' night, and if the debate on that Motion is to be continued to-morrow, of course Notices of Motion given by private Members will stand before it. What I wish to ask Her Majesty's Government in reference to the subject is, whether they will do their best to induce hon. Members, whose Notices stand upon the Paper for to-morrow, to allow the adjourned debate to take precedence of them?

MR. GLADSTONE

I do not wish to be considered a voluntary party to the prolongation of the debate, for I confess that I shall be an involuntary and protesting party to its prolongation. The matter, however, is not in my hands to determine; and, assuming that the debate is to go on beyond to-night, I should certainly in that case support the proposal of the right hon. Gentleman, and should press, as far as I am able, upon hon. Members, who have Notices of Motion upon the Paper, and who may be inclined to give way, the propriety and convenience of allowing the debate to proceed to-morrow night. I am obliged to my hon. Friend the Member for Forfarshire (Mr. Barclay), and to the hon. and learned Gentleman opposite (Mr. Edward Clarke), for the intention kindly expressed by them to refrain from bringing forward their Motions; and I may, perhaps, remind the House that it is not exactly the case of last year. Last year, for three or four nights, the Motion was made for postponing Notices of Motion in order to continue the debate out he Address. Now, this is not, of course, a debate on the Address, and so far is a variation from previous practice. But it is a case where the argument is still stronger, because the debate has with perfect propriety been allowed to take precedence of the Address; and, consequently, it is quite right that we should pursue the same course and allow the debate to go forward.

MR. EDWARD CLARKE

, while very sorry to lose the opportunity he had gained for bringing forward his Motion, would postpone it in deference to the wish of the right hon. Gentleman.