HC Deb 26 March 1868 vol 191 cc263-4
MR. GLADSTONE

I think it would be convenient that the House should know the business it is intended to take this evening. There are four or five subjects of great interest and importance set down—Supply, the Mutiny Bill, the Controverted Elections Bill, and the Capital Punishments Bill.

MR. DISRAELI

Of course the arrangement of business for this evening will be greatly dependent on those Gentlemen who have Motions upon going into Committee of Supply, and if a considerable time is occupied with these, I must modify the proposed arrangements. In that case I shall not be able to proceed, as I could much have wished to do, with the Controverted Elections Bill, as I understand there is to be considerable discussion in Committee on the Mutiny Bill, and that is of so pressing a character. But if we go into Supply and obtain some Votes, then I shall avail myself of the privilege of going on with the Controverted Elections Bill. With respect to the Motion of which the Chancellor of the Exchequer has given notice on the subject of telegraphy, we anticipated that probably the House would be satisfied with hearing his statement, and that there would be no discussion on it, and therefore that it might be made at a very late period of the evening.

MR. GLADSTONE

I beg to ask, what is to be done with the Capital Punishment Bill? I would also take the liberty of suggesting, with reference to the Telegraph Bill, that the subject is one of such novelty, and involving a number of complex details, that it would hardly be desirable for the House to proceed with it at a very late hour.

MR. DISRAELI

With respect to the Capital Punishments Bill, if it comes on late—and of course discussion is anticipated upon it—we shall not press it. If it is the wish of the House that the Telegraphs Bill should not be brought forward, of course we are in their hands, and shall not press it. In answer to Questions, the right hon. Gentleman added, that neither the Capital Punishments Bill nor the Controverted Elections Bill would be brought on after half-past ten o'clock.