LORD HOTIIAMsaid, he wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. M. Gibson), When he intended to proceed with this Bill?
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONin reply said, that it was arranged that the Committee of Supply that evening should not go beyond ten or half-past ten o'clock, when he would proceed with the Merchant Shipping Acts Amendment Bill.
§ LORD HOTHAMsaid, that he understood the right hon. Gentleman to state last night that he would inform the House this evening when he would bring the Bill forward, but he had not the slightest idea that it would come before the House that evening. He acted under that impression, and communicated with some Members of the House, who were absent in consequence of his statement.
§ MR. LOCKEsaid, he was not present when the right hon. Gentleman made his statement, but he was under the impression from what he read that the noble Lord (Lord Hotham) was correct.
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONsaid, that he had communicated with the noble Lord at the head of the Government, and the arrangement which he mentioned was decided on. However, under the circumstances, he would not bring the measure forward that evening.