§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERWith the permission of the House. I wish to make an appeal respecting the conduct of the public business. The Orders commence to-day with three measures, the stages of which will be taken, perhaps, without much discussion. After those Bills have been disposed of, it is proposed to go into Committee of Supply; but there are several Notices on that Order. I appeal to the hon. Gentlemen who have given those Notices to postpone them. What I ask is not for the convenience of the Government, but for the general advantage and convenience of the House. It is of great importance that the Committee of Supply should be closed. I can only say that if any of the Motions of which hon. Members have given notice are such as they believe to be of pressing importance, I will do all in my power to give them a speedy and satisfactory opportunity of bringing those Motions forward.
§ MR. FAWCETTsaid, that on Thursday week he put a question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the right hon. Gentleman gave what, in the opinion of many hon. Members, was a somewhat extraordinary reply. He asked whether the Government would give a promise that nothing should be done on the vital and important subject of University education in Ireland till the House had had an opportunity of passing an opinion on any change which might be proposed. The right hon. Gentleman replied that nothing should be done contrary to the Constitution, and then he added the unusual statement that he must refuse to do anything at his bidding. The last thing he had wished to suggest was that the right hon. Gentleman should should do anything at his bidding. If the Chancellor of the Exchequer would merely say that nothing should be done during the recess on the subject of University education in Ireland he would cheerfully with draw his notice of a Motion on going into Committee of Supply. If no such promise was given he must persevere with his Motion.
§ Captain VIVIAN, Mr. DARBY GRIFFITH. Mr. BERESFORD HOPE, and Mr. REARDEN said, that they would postpone their Motions in order that the House might go into Committee of Supply.
1226§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI shall be happy to meet the views of the hon. Gentlemen who have expressed their willingness to postpone their Motions. It appears to me that the Motion of my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Darby Griffith) respecting the difficulties in which. Chairmen of Election Committees are sometimes placed, is one which he might bring forward with advantage to the House next Session. It does not seem to be of a very pressing character. The hon. Member for the Potteries (Mr. Beresford Hope) will no doubt, on a future day, bring forward the subject of which he has given notice respecting the removal of the statue of Canning, with the taste which always distinguishes his treatment of such subjects. With regard to the hon. Member for Brighton (Mr. Fawcett), I am sorry I misapprehended his inquiry, and that he misapprehended my answer. We do not contemplate bringing forward any scheme regarding education in Ireland without consulting Parliament.
§ MR. FAWCETTsaid, the answer of the right hon. Gentleman was perfectly satisfactory, and he cheerfully withdrew his Motion.