HC Deb 12 May 1873 vol 215 cc1790-1
MR. BEDESFORD HOPE

asked the right hon. Gentleman, when it was proposed the Whitsuntide holidays would commence?

MR. GLADSTONE,

in reply, said, it so happened that this year there was a peculiar circumstance to be considered—namely, that a certain Wednesday had been commonly observed as a holiday of late years, although not with quite the unanimous assent of the House, and that that Wednesday came this year in the week before Whitsuntide. It seemed, therefore, almost a pity not to make a combination which would render that Wednesday available as a holiday, if it could be done. The usual practice was to adjourn on the Friday before Whitsuntide until the following Thursday. That being so, they would lose both Thursday, a Government night, and Friday, on which they had a chance of obtaining Supply, if they adjourned on Tuesday. However, if the House would consent to give them a morning sitting on Tuesday, it would be a substitute for the Thursday, and then they would feel justified in proposing an adjournment from Tuesday until the following Thursday week.

MR. NEWDEGATE

asked on what day of the month the House would adjourn, and till what day of the month?

MR. GLADSTONE

From Tuesday, the 27th instant, until Thursday, the 5th of June.

Motion agreed to. Ordered, That the Orders of the Day subsequent to the Order for the Committee of Supply be postponed till after the Notice of Motion for the appointment of a Select Committee on the Boundaries of Parishes, Unions, and Counties.—(Mr. Gladstone.)