§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, If the Government see any reasonable prospect of the University Tests Bill being proceeded with this Session, after the decision arrived at in "another place" on Thursday the 14th?
MR. GLADSTONESir, at the present moment the Government are unable to form a positive opinion; but they do not despair of carrying the Bill through Parliament during the present Session, notwithstanding the effect of a Motion recently carried in the House of Lords. The first conclusion they were inclined to form was that that Motion was fatal to the measure; but from what they have since learnt, they think it their duty to wait a few days before allowing themselves to assume with certainty that that decision must necessarily be fatal to the Bill. Of course, it will be their duty to arrive at their conclusion with a due regard to the substance of the Bill and the object it has in view.