§ MR. ASSHETON CROSSasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, considering that the Post Office and Telegraph Vote was put off until full inquiry could be made as to the appropriation of balances for the purposes of the Telegraph Service, he will not now allow the discussion on that point to take place before the Vote itself is taken?
MR. GLADSTONESir, the practical objection to the proposal of the hon. Gentleman is that any postponement of the Vote beyond Monday would involve the postponement of the Prorogation of the Session. The state of the case is this—It is scarcely true that the Telegraph Vote was put off until the conclusion of the inquiry; but it was put off in order that Members might be sure that they would have an opportunity of discussing the subject. There is nothing 914 in the Vote which has any connection with the inquiry. It is a Vote for the Telegraph Service of the year, and it has no connection with the question of capital account. What the hon. Gentleman means, I apprehend, is that he should have a good and convenient opportunity of discussing the subject. We must go on this evening and to-morrow with strictly legislative business; but I will keep Tuesday morning, at 2 o'clock, free for the purpose of offering it to the hon. Gentleman, if he thinks proper to avail himself of it. Assuming that Supply will be got through on Monday night, I shall propose to the hon. Member for Sheffield (Mr. Mundella), that on Tuesday evening, at 9 we should take the discussion of his Factories Bill. We will use every effort to have a House, and the subject is one to ensure a House, independently of any endeavour on our part. On Wednesday we propose to take the discussion on the Indian Budget.
§ MR. BERESFORD HOPEwished to know when the Real Estate Intestacy Bill would be taken?
§ SIR JOHN HAYasked when the discussion to be raised by his right hon. Friend (Sir Charles Adderley) upon the subject of the West Coast of Africa would be taken?