§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is the intention of the Government, in consequence of the Orders relating to the Business of the House passed last Session having lapsed, to move for a Committee on the subject?
MR. GLADSTONE,in reply, said, that when the Government made a proposal on this subject on a former occasion there was a considerable division of opinion in the House with respect to it. At present their condition was such that they could not afford to spend time on discussions that would be resultless, and on that account they did not propose to appoint a Committee. At the same time, if they had any reason to believe that there was a general concurrence of opinion in favour of such a measure, they should be very glad to avail themselves of it, and to make the Motion suggested.
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONsaid, that in consequence of the answer just given by the right hon. Gentleman, 152 he would, on an early day, call attention to the present state of the Rules with respect to the Business of the House, and submit a Resolution on the subject.