MR. WILSONsaid, it might be for the convenience of the House that he should state the course the Government proposed to pursue with respect to the business for to-morrow. Although it was not usual, except at the close of the Session, to take Supply on Wednesdays, yet, as that day was by Standing Orders a Supply day, the Government proposed, if there should be no strong, objection on the part of the House, to proceed with the Civil Service Estimates to-morrow (this day) after the other business, which was light, had been disposed of.
§ MR. DISRAELIWill the Militia Estimates be brought on to-morrow?
MR. W. WILLIAMShoped the Government would not proceed with Supply tomorrow, as very few hon. Members usually attended on Wednesdays. It was a course he never remembered to have seen taken.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that he now rose to move that the Speaker do leave the chair. In reply to the hon. Member for Lambeth (Mr. W. Williams) he had to remark that, although it was unusual to proceed with Supply on Wednesdays, yet, unless they did so now it would necessitate the consumption of another night in discussing the Civil Service Estimates.
§ MR. HENLEYhoped it was not intended to take Supply before the Motions of private Members had been disposed of to-morrow.
§ MR. WISEsaid, he must express his surprise at the objections which had been started the hon. Member for Lambeth (Mr. Williams), who complained so often about midnight sittings. The morning was the best time for disposing of business, as at that period their heads were cool and their hands steady.
§ MR. SOTHERON ESTCOURTasked whether Supply would be taken on Thursday or Friday night, as he wished upon the Motion for going into Committee to bring the subject of the Euphrates route to India before the House.
MR. WILSONsaid, the Report upon the Probates Bill would be taken on Thursday, and in all probability Friday would be occupied with other business which 1021 would prevent the House from going into Committee of Supply.
§ MR. SOTHERON ESTCOURTsaid, in that case he should on Friday take the opportunity of the Motion for adjournment to bring forward the subject to which he had referred.