HC Deb 19 August 1881 vol 265 cc365-7
SIR DAVID WEDDERBURN

asked the Prime Minister, Whether he could definitely fix a day for the discussion of the Indian finances?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

inquired if it was intended to proceed that evening with the second reading of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge (Statutes) Bill?

MR. GLADSTONE

, in reply, said, he did not think the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge (Statutes) Bill could be proceeded with that night. With respect to the Indian Budget, he hoped to take it on the first clear day after the closing of Supply. He could not, at the present moment, say when Supply would be closed. He wished, with the permission of the House, to say that the House next week would meet at 3 o'clock instead of 4, as the Prorogation was approaching. Supply would be proceeded with to-night, and the Government hoped then to dispose of the remaining Votes, excepting such as would give, at the meeting of the House to-morrow, an opportunity to the hon. Member for the City of Cork of referring to the case of Michael Davitt. With that view they would be able to go on to-morrow also with one or two Bills which it was very necessary should be proceeded with—the Regulation of the Forces Bill and the Irish Church Act Amendment Bill in particular.

MR. HEALY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it was intended to proceed with the Irish Church Act Amendment Bill at this advanced period of the Session, seeing that it was likely to provoke considerable discussion, and that the Government had made ample provision with regard to the Act in the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill? Many Members who were interested in the subject had left town.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, the real object of the Bill was to save public money by closing the labours of the Commission, which had now practically come to an end. No doubt, there might be some discussion upon the subject; but he did not think there would be any opposition to the Bill, at least so far as the principle of it was concerned. The object of introducing the Act into the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was to insure that the Church Commission should not practically come to an end.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

asked whether, if the Bill was not passed, the effect would not be that Mr. Justice Lawson would have to be paid £1,000 next year? [Mr. W. E. FORSTER: Yes.] In that case he would suggest that his hon. Friend should withdraw his opposition to the Bill.

MR. PARNELL

said, that as to the re-arrest of Michael Davitt, he would prefer to bring the matter forward as a substantive Motion rather than upon the Estimates. But he would bring it forward either upon the Estimates or upon the Appropriation Bill.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, there would be nothing to prevent the hon. Member, if he thought fit, from bringing it forward on the Motion that the Speaker leave the Chair.