§ EARL GRANVILLEasked whether the noble Marquess could give the House any information as to the course of Public Business?
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of SALISBURY)said, it was always dangerous to prophesy, but he understood there was a probability of the Local Government Bill passing through the House of Com- 652 mons that night. In that event the Government would rely upon the devotion of some of their followers remaining, in order that the Bill might be read a first time in their Lordships' House that night. His impression was that there was a general agreement in their Lordships' House as to the principle of the Bill, though all their Lordships did not agree with some of the details. It was, therefore, desirable that the measure should be considered in a full House, and he proposed to take the second reading on Tuesday. The Committee stage, however, would not be taken until the following Monday.