THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, he did not know whether there was any Member of the Treasury Bench present who could give him any information as to the course of Business for next week. He had understood that the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill would be the First Order on Monday; but he did not know whether it was the intention of the Government to take any important Business in case the debate upon the second reading of that Bill should terminate at an early hour. He also understood last night that the Commons Bill would be fixed for Thursday; but he should like to know whether it would be brought forward as the First Order of the Day. It would also be for the convenience of the House to know when the Government intended to introduce the Education Bill.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER,in reply, said, that he was not quite sure as to the arrangements, but he thought that this was the idea of the Government at present. On Monday it was proposed to take the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill, and they had not anticipated that that Bill would pass its stage at a very early hour of the evening. If, however, it should pass at an early hour, then he anticipated that the 492 Government would have some other measure ready to proceed with. He would mention in the course of the evening what measure it was that they would in that event take second. As to Thursday the proposal was, that they should, before entering upon the Orders of the Day, proceed with the notice for the introduction of the Education Bill, and next to that they proposed to take the Committee upon the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill, and after that the Second Order would be the Commons Bill.
§ LORD ESLINGTONinquired when the Government would take the Report upon the Merchant Shipping Bill?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUEROn Monday week.
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONregretted that he omitted to ask when it was intended to introduce the Prisons Bill? It might be well for the convenience of the Government, as well as that of the House, that he should give them Notice that the proposed arrangement that the Commons Bill should be taken the Third Order on Thursday next might not be thought satisfactory; and the Government must not be surprised to find that that arrangement was objected to.
MR. ASSHETON CROSSsaid, that he would not bring on the Commons Bill at a late period of the evening.
§ MR. SERJEANT SHERLOCKinquired whether any of the numerous Bills affecting the administration of justice in Ireland were likely to be taken this Session?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER,in reply, said, he could not at present say when the Bills relating to the administration of justice in Ireland would be laid before the House. The Government had already several Bills of pressing importance on hand, and it would be impossible to say anything definite in reference to further Business until these were disposed of.