§ In reply to Mr. ASSHETON CROSS,
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, that, with respect to the Savings Banks Bill, he feared that it would not be possible to obtain a satisfactory discussion of it during the present Session; and it would, therefore, be withdrawn. He would mention two other Bills with respect to which the Government intended to take a similar course. One was the Mines Regulation Bill, which his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department had been anxious to proceed with, but it was not now thought possible to secure for it due attention. The other Bill which would not be proceeded with, though it was one of great 413 importance, was the Parliamentary Elections Bill. The Government entertained the hope, as long as hope could be entertained, of passing that measure, and at one time, when great expedition was made with the Education Bill, it seemed likely that it might be proceeded with; but the great length of time since spent, and not unworthily, on the Education Bill had drawn the House on so late in the Session that all the Government could hope to dispose of before the close of the week was the Education Bill and the Irish Land Bill, making at the same time some progress with Supply. Therefore, at the proper time, the Order of the Day for the Second Reading of the Parliamentary Elections Bill would be discharged.