§ In reply to Sir STAFFORD NORTHCOTE,
MR. GLADSTONEsaid: The Belief of Distress (Ireland) Bill will be the first Order of the Day on Thursday, and the clause of my right hon. Friend will be in the hands of hon. Members tomorrow. I wish to say a word with reference to a Question put to me by my right hon. Friend the late Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of the Malt Duties. He made an inquiry about the computation of the drawback on stocks of malt on hand on the 30th of September next, and I mentioned the computations which had been made, and the grounds of those computations. But these were, of course, made under a disadvantage, inasmuch as they could not be conveniently founded upon positive and direct inquiry of competent persons in the trade before the production of the proposals of the Government. As we now stand we are in a position to communicate with the trade with greater freedom, and I have thought it better we should endeavour to check and verify those computations by new inquiries. I shall not be able to produce the figures 77 probably till shortly before we proceed to discussion on the Bill, and we shall reserve in the Bill power to make detailed arrangements for the levy of the duty, and to fix the time after which the brewers will be called on to pay the new tax on beer.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked when the Employers' Liability Bill would be proceeded with?
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, he was afraid there was no probability of his being able to fix an early day for the discussion of the measure. Due Notice would, however, be given before it was proceeded with.
§ SIR BALDWYN LEIGHTONwished to know when the Hares and Rabbits Bill would be taken?