§ MR. FAWCETTasked the First Lord of the Treasury, What are the intentions of the Government with regard to the Corrupt Practices Bill; and, further, what Government measures will take precedence of it?
MR. GLADSTONEAt the commencement, Sir, of the Session, when we obtained the leave of this House to introduce the Corrupt Practices Bill, we did it with a full expectation of being able to pass that measure into law in the present Session, and that expectation, I am happy to say, we retain entire. We fully look forward to its being passed as one of the measures of the year. Beyond that I am not prepared to go at this moment. There is, I think, no advantage, and it does not conduce to regularity or expedition in Business, long beforehand to place a large number of measures in numerical order, as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on, for we are too liable 1028 to be interrupted by causes which we cannot foresee to make that expedient. We intend to take that which is known as the Scotch Education Bill, and after that to proceed with the Mines Bill. When those two measures are disposed of, we should then think it time to lay down where we can the order of further Business, and then I shall be very happy to give the hon. Gentleman the best information in my power.
§ In reply to Sir CHARLES ADDERLEY,
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, that although the Government looked upon the Public Health Bill as one of the measures which they hoped to pass during the present Session, still if it came to be a question of priority between that Bill and the Corrupt Practices Bill, the former would have to be postponed.