HC Deb 30 July 1877 vol 236 cc175-6
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Mr. Speaker, I hope I may take this opportunity, in speaking of the Business of the House, to mention one other class of Business which will have to be finished, but which must be finished under circumstances which I am sure none of us can regard without a feeling of pain. I refer to the Navy Estimates. I mentioned some time ago that a particular question likely to cause some discussion will not be brought forward; but still there are some Votes, being all that remain of the Navy Esti- mates, which it will be necessary to have before us. I am quite sure we all share the deep feeling with which the country has heard of the loss we have sustained in the death of one who for many years was an active and honoured —may I not say a beloved Member of this House; one who, I am sure, never had an enemy, and who I know had a very great number of friends. It is very difficult for us with whom he acted to speak of him as others would do; but this I cannot doubt—that the whole House sympathizes with us in the feeling I have endeavoured to express.

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

Before the House proceeds to consider the Orders of the Day, I think, perhaps, I may be allowed to say a word with reference to what has just fallen from the right hon. Gentleman opposite. I wish to say how fully those who sit on this side of the House share the feeling the right hon. Gentleman has expressed with reference to the melancholy event which was announced to us this morning. The right hon. Gentleman whose loss we have this day heard of, and are deploring, has for a considerable number of years taken a prominent part in the proceedings of this House; and I am sure I may say that though many of us differed from him in opinion, we all regarded him as a generous and worthy political opponent. We have all been witnesses of the zeal which he brought to bear on the discharge of the official duties that fell upon him during the present Parliament. I am sure it will only intensify our feeling of regret for his loss to think that the end of the right hon. Gentleman has been hastened by the pertinacity with which, in his failing health and with his physical infirmity, he resolved to remain at his post and to do his duty. I can only again say how much we on this side share the feeling of regret expressed by the right hon. Gentleman opposite.