§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONI wish, Sir, inverting the ordinary course of proceeding, to put a question from this side of the House to the right hon. Member for Buckinghamshire. It was arranged the other day that we should give up Monday to that right hon. Gentleman, with the view of enabling him to make such Motion as he might think fit with reference to the affairs of India. I suggested Monday for the purpose, thinking it probable that the Indian Mail would arrive before that time. I find, however, it is not likely that the Mail will arrive until some time in the course of Monday, and I would, therefore, suggest to the right hon. Gentleman whether he would postpone his Motion, and take the earliest Government day that may suit him, which we shall very readily give up. We shall then be sure that the Mail will have arrived before the question is discussed, and the whole country will be in full possession of 359 whatever news may be brought by that Mail. It is of course the same thing to the Government which day the right hon. Gentleman chooses, but I mention this as a matter entirely for the consideration of the right hon. Gentleman. The whole country feels painfully anxious on this subject. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will state what course he intends to make, as it may be convenient for the House to know what course he proposes to pursue. The notice of the right hon. Gentleman can either stand, as it was originally fixed, for Monday, or we will give up Thursday for the discussion. Of course, the right hon. Gentleman will put upon the Notice Paper the terms of the Motion he intends to propose.
§ Mr. DISRAELISir, I am very sensible of the importance of any observations which fall from the noble Lord on a subject of this nature, and they are entitled to my grave attention. The noble Lord may perhaps remember that it was at his own suggestion that the delay took place in bringing forward this question. I do not myself anticipate that it will be of any importance that we should receive fresh intelligence before I bring forward the Motion I intend to submit to the House. I have taken the suggestion of the noble Lord, which reached me by other means, into my serious consideration, and I hope he will not be offended at my saying that I have a firm conviction it is for the public advantage that no delay should take place in discussing this question. I hope, therefore, that the noble Lord will adhere to the arrangement which was originally made, and I will place on the table to-night the Motion I intend to submit to the House on Monday. That Motion, as I before intimated, will refer only to papers; but in bringing the subject before Parliament I am discharging what I believe to be a public duty.