§ MR. MELLYasked the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he has any objection to lay on 857 the Table of the House replies which he has received from the Superintendents of Police in answer to twelve Questions forwarded to them on the 26th of March, 1874? There were two series of questions—one addressed to the Chief Magistrates, whose replies have been laid on the Table, and the other to the Police, whose replies have not yet been produced; and he wished to know, whether the replies of the Police can be laid on the Table before the Intoxicating Liquors Bill is considered in Committee?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON, in reply, said, that the Papers were of a confidential nature, and, even if they were not, it was utterly impossible they could be distributed in time for the discussion of Thursday evening.
§ MR. GOSCHENwished to ask, whether the Papers were of a more confidential character than the replies of the Mayors, which were produced after some hesitation on the part of the Government?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONsaid, they were of a more confidential character, inasmuch as the position of a Chief Constable was very different from that of Mayor of a borough.
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTwished to know, whether the Intoxicating Liquors Bill would be taken the first thing on Thursday?
§ MR. DISRAELIsaid, it would be the First Order of the Day.
§ MR. GOSCHENgave Notice that he should move for the production of the Papers alluded to. It seemed to him most important that the House should be in possession of any information which was in the possession of the Government.
§ [Sir WILFRID LAWSON: Hear, hear.]