PARLIAMENT—BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. (Hansard, 30 April 1868)

MR. GLADSTONE
said, that some half-hour since, the Prime Minister announced that the vote of the House had 1680 altered the relations between the Executive Government and the present House of Commons, placing an emphasis on "the present House of Commons," and proposed the adjournment of the House until Monday. The appeal for adjournment he could not resist; but to his perfect astonishment he had received a message from the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the effect that, although the business of the country was to be suspended until Monday, the Committee on the Irish Church would not stand as the first Order for that Day, but that it was intended to proceed with the Committee on Ways and Means. He (Mr. Gladstone) gave notice, therefore, that he should move on Monday next that the Standing Order which regulated the order of proceeding on Monday should be suspended, and that the Order of the Day for the Committee upon the Established Church of Ireland should take its place. He would, however, ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether it was his intention to allow the discussion upon the Irish Church to take precedence of the other business on Monday?

§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
said, that Ways and Means had been placed on the Paper in the ordinary way. The House could on Monday decide as to the course of business. He moved the adjournment of the House till Monday.

§ MR. CARDWELL
said, that, when the arrangement for Committee on Ways and Means, as the first Order on Monday, was made, it was understood that the Resolutions of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Lancashire would be considered that evening.

MR. GLADSTONE
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he would now assent to the consideration of the Resolutions in Committee being the first Order of the Day?

§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
observed that when the House met on Monday, it would be competent for the right hon. Gentleman to propose the arrangement he desired.

§ MR. AYRTON
asked how the Government statement could come off on Monday unless the "Irish Church" was put down as the first Order? If it was not so placed there would be a breach of faith on the part of the Government.

§ SIR GEORGE BOWYER
thought that any settlement of the course of business was immaterial when a statement was to be made by the Premier on Monday.

§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTON
said, the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Lancashire had exhibited unnecessary excitement. There had been no engagement, and the request made of the House by his right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury was a very natural one under the circumstances.

§ MR. CHILDERS
said, he was of opinion that the "Irish Church" should be placed as the first Order for Monday.

§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE
suggested that the House were only losing time. It would be easy on Monday after the statement of his right hon. Friend to settle the course of business.

§ MR. WHITBREAD
said, he had not expected to find the Government acting in the manner they were doing.

§ LORD JOHN MANNERS
denied that the Government had done anything wrong in the matter.

§ VISCOUNT GALWAY
said, that the last man who ought to complain of the time of the House being wasted was the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Lancashire.