§ MR. J. G. TALBOTsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it has escaped his notice that the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in fixing the Second Reading of the Habitual Criminals Bill, named Monday 31st May, and described that day as the first Monday after the Whitsun Holidays; and whether, therefore, he will reconsider the announcement just made, that he proposes the House should reassemble on Monday 24th May?
MR. GLADSTONEI presume, Sir, my hon. Friend wishes that we should resume our sitting on a day which will make Monday the 31st, the first Monday after the adjournment. I must confess that my statement of yesterday was founded upon an inadequate appreciation of the state of public opinion in this House. The only answer I can make is that I consulted the usual organs of information upon the subject, and on this occasion they have not proved so entirely faithful to me as I have generally found them. If there is to be a recantation it is better it should come at once, and I therefore state that if our progress with the Irish Church Bill is considerable, and we dispose of the Report within the time I mentioned, I shall be prepared to propose that the House do adjourn from Thursday till that Thursday fortnight. I wish to give notice with regard to the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General for Ireland that I will to-morrow move that his Notice of Motion take precedence of the Orders of the Day.