§ MR. BROADHURSTI wish to ask the Prime Minister, Whether he can give the House any assurance that the final stages of the Representation of the People Bill shall be completed before the Government offers any facilities for the discussion of any special question?
MR. GLADSTONEIt is our intention to proceed with all the despatch we can in disposing of the final stages of the Representation of the People Bill; but I think that the time for answering the Question of the hon. Member has not arrived.
§ MR. FIRTHI beg to ask the Prime Minister, when the Government propose to resume the consideration of the London Government Bill?
§ MR. EDWARD CLARKEBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that Question, I should like to ask him when the second reading of the Merchant Shipping Bill will be taken?
MR. GLADSTONEWith regard to the last Question, I have to state that I have not had any communication with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade leading me to think that the time has come for naming a day for the purpose indicated. With regard to the London Government Bill, our anxiety with regard to that measure has not in the least degree diminished; but it would be idle for me at the present moment to enter upon the question until we can 830 form some judgment as to what will happen on the closing stages of the Representation of the People Bill.