§ MR. HOLMSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a Question of which he had given him private Notice—namely, Upon what authority, a payment has been made on account of the Contract for the conveyance of Mails between the Cape of Good Hope and Zanzibar, such Contract not having been ratified by the House of Commons? He also wished to know, Whether that Contract will be taken at such an hour of the evening as will afford an opportunity for a full discussion upon it?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, It is most desirable that a Question conveying an imputation on the conduct of a Member of the Government should be preceded by the usual Notice on the Paper of the House, and that it should not be put immediately after a private Notice of it given to the party immediately concerned. So far as that private Notice goes, I will take care that the subject of the Contract referred to shall be brought forward at a time when the hon. Gentleman and his Friends shall have full opportunity of considering it. As to the remainder of the Question, I think it will be better—involving as it does argumentative matter—that it should be discussed when the Contract itself is brought under the attention of the House.