§ MR. DILLWYNdesired to say a word or two upon the question of the adjournment. He had no objection to attending the House on a Saturday for the purpose of advancing Bills which had already been progressed with, and the passing of which was necessary, but he thought it undesirable that a "jaded House," to use the Prime Minister's own words, should be 1420 called upon to discuss new Business on a Saturday in the middle of July. He referred to the Inland Revenue Bill, the provisions of which would excite a good deal of discussion. The right hon. Gentleman, he felt certain, did not intend to take the House by surprise, and he would not, therefore, he trusted, proceed with any new measure which would give rise to discussion.
§ MR. FAWCETTfeared that, owing to the shortness of the Notice, there would not be so large an attendance as there otherwise would have been to discuss the new clauses of the Corrupt Practices Bill, several of which were very important.
§ MR. DISRAELIsaid, he always endeavoured to arrange the Business in accordance with the convenience of Members. There were certain measures the passing of which it was necessary to secure. There would be, he supposed, little if any doubt as to the propriety of proceeding with the Appropriation Bill. With regard to the Corrupt Practices Bill, he had certainly notified to hon. Members the possibility of its being proceeded with on Saturday, but he had stated that the matter would be definitely settled that evening. They had made considerable progress with the Bill that day having got through all the original clauses, the postponed clauses, and a great many of the new clauses; and but for the constitutional discussion which had arisen they would probably have succeeded in passing it through Committee. The remaining clauses would probably be dealt with in about an hour to-morrow so that the Bill might be read a third time on Monday. The Inland Revenue Bill was, he believed, a good one and ought to pass, but if it was likely to give rise to serious discussion he certainly should not think of pressing it on a Saturday morning. If there were any other measures which could be advanced a stage, and on which no discussion was expected, they would of course also be put down.
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, he had heard that considerable objection was entertained on the part of several Members to going forward with the Indian Bills to-morrow. He mentioned this matter in order that the Government might not be unprepared for objection.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, he would be glad if hon. Gentlemen who objected to any of these measures would communicate with him, so that those Bills likely to lead to discussions might not be 1421 put on the Paper only to be withdrawn after hon. Members had taken the trouble to come down to the House.
§ MR. DARBY GRIFFITHsaid, he hoped that the Appropriation Bill, about which a good deal might be said, would be placed on the Paper after the Corrupt Practices Bill.
§ MR. BAILLIE COCHRANEsaid, he would withdraw his Motion for the adjournment of the House.
§ Motion, by leave, withdrawn.