THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can state when he will be able to arrange to give me an opportunity of bringing forward the Resolution of which I have given Notice with reference to the Treaty of Berlin? I have put down the Resolution for Thursday as the earliest day it would be favourable to bring it forward; and I should like to know whether it will be in the power of the Government that the discussion should be taken on that day?
§ MR. BUTTBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question, I may be allowed to express the hope—and I think I may say the unanimous hope—of the Irish Members belonging to all Parties in this House, that nothing will be allowed to interfere, if possible, with the coming on, as already arranged, of the Intermediate Education (Ireland) Bill on Thursday next?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThere is no doubt that at this period of the Session it is extremely difficult to make arrangements that will not occasion inconvenience to hon. Members on some subjects. Undoubtedly the promise which has long been made to Irish Members and others interested in the subject—that we shall proceed with the Intermediate Education (Ireland) Bill on Thursday—is one that ought not lightly to be overlooked. In these circumstances, I am afraid it will be impossible to offer the noble Lord an earlier day than Monday next. I have given the matter considerable study, and I think that that course will be the most advisable, both with regard to existing engagements, and with regard to the importance of the subject which the noble Lord will bring forward—a 2064 subject on which it is desirable that hon. Members should have time to consider the Protocols. With reference to the arrangements of our Business, I think it would be the best economy of time that the Resolutions of the noble Lord should be taken on Monday.
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is to be the course of Public Business this week?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERWe propose to-night to go on with the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill, and I hope it is not impossible that it may be finished before we adjourn. To-morrow is given to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Greenwich (Mr. Gladstone) for his Motion on the Vernacular Press Law of India. On Wednesday we may have some remainders of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill to get through; if not, other Government Business will be taken. On Thursday we propose to take the Committee on the Intermediate Education (Ireland) Bill. In speaking of the course of Public Business, I ought also to refer to that which is an unfortunate necessity of our position. We stand very badly with respect to Supply, and that more particularly with regard to a very important Vote—the Education Vote. I hope that we may soon be able to get that Vote; but, in consequence of the pressure of Business, I think that it is not improbable that before the end of the week we may be obliged to ask for a Vote on Account in order to enable us to carry on the Business of the Education Department.