§ MR. H. B. SHERIDANsaid, he would beg to ask, Whether it is the intention of the Government to move the Resolution in Committee on the National Debt that night; and when, if the discussion is to be taken on the Motion for the introduction of the Bill, that Bill will be introduced?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, he could only repeat the statement he made on a former occasion. He was quite in the hands of the House; but he thought the most convenient course would be for the House to get the Resolution passed without prejudice and without being committed in any way to the plan, and then to have the Bill in the hands of Members before the discussion took place upon it. If this was agreeable to the House he would take the Resolution that night, report it to-morrow, and then fix some convenient time for the second reading.
§ MR. DISRAELIsaid, the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Hubbard) had a Resolution on the Paper on the same subject, which was fixed for that night.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, he thought that that Motion rather referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, and hoped if so that it would not be brought on, as it would be very inconvenient in regard to the course of trade to delay the passing of those Resolutions which related to Customs.
§ MR. DISRAELIsaid, he considered that unless they heard what the intentions of the hon. Member for Buckingham were, it would be inconvenient to follow the course indicated by the right hon. Gentleman.
§ MR. HUBBARDsaid it would doubtless be exceedingly inconvenient to go into the Motion as to the reduction of the Fire and Marine Insurance Duties, of which he had given notice, after the discussion on the Re-distribution of Seats Bill, and he would, therefore, postpone it if the Chancellor of 486 the Exchequer would give him another opportunity of bringing the matter before the House.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, he thought that it would be better if the hon. Gentleman were to bring the subject before the House on the second reading.
§ MR. STEPHEN CAVEasked the Vice President of the Board of Trade, whether the Merchant Shipping Act and the Railway Clauses Act would be brought on tonight, and if so at what hour?
§ MR. MONSELLsaid, he would not take them after eleven.