HC Deb 07 March 1861 vol 161 cc1541-2
VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

said, he wished to make an appeal to hon. Members on a matter connected with the business of the House. The Easter recess was approaching, and he apprehended that it would be convenient to the House that they should adjourn on the Monday before Good Friday, being the 25th. and that the adjournment should be, as usual, until that day fortnight. But it was very important that the Mutiny Bill should be passed before the recess, and that could not be done unless the House should in sufficient time agree to the numbers both of the marines and of the regular army. He feared that unless those Votes were agreed to by next Monday there would be great difficulty in passing the Mutiny Bill before the day he had named, and it might be found necessary to go on sitting until Thursday, the day before Good Friday—a proceeding which would not be convenient to Members generally. There were on the paper several Notices of Motion upon going into Committee of Supply, and he submitted to hon. Members who had given those Notices whether it might not be sufficient for their purpose, and whether it would not be more convenient to the House to take some other opportunity, of which there would be several, when the House would be moved to go into Committee of Supply, to bring forward their Motions; and should there be time enough to-night, after the conclusion of the adjourned debate on the affairs of Italy to go into Committee of Supply, he asked them to have the kindness to forbear from interposing the Motions standing in their names; and also to exhibit the same indulgence on Monday next.