QUESTION. (Hansard, 4 March 1867)

§ MR. OSBORNE
In order, Sir, to put myself in order, I am about to move the adjournment of the House, and I take this unusual course in consequence of a transaction which had occurred in "another place." I did not think that I was putting myself unnecessarily before the notice of the House at the beginning of the evening when I demanded some explanation from the Treasury Bench as to the unusual position in which this House has been placed. Tire right hon. Gentleman (the Chancellor of the Exchequer), however, maintaining that system of silence which has characterized the Government from the commencement of the Session, refused to give any answer, and the noble Lord the Member for Stamford (Viscount Cranbourne) intimated that he had not received Her Most Gracious Majesty's permission to make any statement to the House. The House assented, and was left in that ignorance in which, if it depends on the right hon. Gentleman, it will be kept until the 18th of March. But what has happened in "another place?" The secret with regard to the Bill which, we being the most interested party, ought to have communicated to us in the first place, that secret has been let out in "another place." Not only has the noble Lord the Leader of the Government (the Earl of Derby) communicated in "another place" the original policy of the Government, but a noble Lord (the Earl of Carnarvon), who has resigned office, has, it appears, received the permission of Her Majesty to state, and has actually stated, the reasons why he has left the Cabinet. I leave the matter to the consideration of the House. If the House is content to be treated as a mere Court of Registry, to assent in silence, and to abdicate its functions, I shall say no more; but there are people out of doors who will see, with astonishment, that while a communication has been made in "another place," the Leader of this House maintains a silence which is as extraordinary as it is obstinate. I beg, Sir, to move the adjournment of the House.

§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
I think, Sir, I can give a satisfactory reason for the silence which I have observed. I had communicated with my noble Friend (Viscount Cranbourne), and was aware that it was not in his power to make any statement to the House, and I certainly think it would have been most unbecoming in me to enter into details which I myself had not received sufficient authority to disclose, and under particular circumstances, in which others were obliged to be silent. I have no doubt, however, that an opportunity will be properly taken for that frank communication to the House which always occurs when political changes of this kind happen. What has occurred in "another place" is unknown to me, and unless I receive some authentic account of it, I am not disposed to put upon it the interpretation which the hon. Gentleman has done. All I can say is, that in the course which I pursued I was influenced, not only by a sense of public duty, but by those private feelings of honour which, I hope, will always animate Members of this House.

§ MR. ROEBUCK
No interpretation is required in the matter. The fact is palpable that in this House information has been refused, which in "another place" has been granted. If the right hon. Gentleman has had no communication with his Leader it only shows that there are more divisions in the Cabinet than the House were aware of an hour ago.